tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26709257231237987862018-03-06T09:26:34.217+08:00Fated to Love Youfrom Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-34286321047726982762008-08-04T03:28:00.004+08:002008-08-05T03:52:29.238+08:00Episode 21<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;" >Rewards Finally Come from Hardship</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=mhevtct4uqa5" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 1</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=e2u4ljizmbiq " target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 2</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-47885429655057744992008-07-29T04:52:00.004+08:002008-08-04T01:03:21.925+08:00Episode 20<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;" >Confession That Traveled from 2 Years Ago</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ihetiesya7us" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 1</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=n8tflpl2lduy" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 2</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=n9udncnpuwsf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 3</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=i5mnu6tysxmx" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 4</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=s5uwirnmryl2" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 5</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=mvi3adezihn2" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 6</span></a><span style="font-<br />size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=mymisjr6upul" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 7</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href=" http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=m4ufumnulfn6" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 8</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=mmuwidndrqsh" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 9</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=iwevm9s5s4r6" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last Part</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></span></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-26356852619149467142008-07-22T05:30:00.004+08:002008-07-23T22:37:09.110+08:00Episode 19<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Self-assertive Sticky Note </span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=u4slabiyr3rg" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 1</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ust7anebu9et" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 2</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=u9u2rhrqlrru" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 3</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=mqieasi1u8l3" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 4</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=m8e6lprhtrt8" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 5</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=mreot8n7l4r9" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 6</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=m7aplgags0uw" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 7</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=mhaoa0ivs6nt" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 8</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=eui6a6mle6m3" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 9</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ukrprirltsn7" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last Part</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-1917667541768244712008-07-15T03:49:00.003+08:002008-07-18T02:16:15.199+08:00Episode 18<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;" >Fated to be with Love</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=aum3nyrbtzum" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 1</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=lnein5ifsjlj" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 2</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=lge3nnnvlbm3" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 3</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=l4abrssxnaib" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 4</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=nlizeqnpngic" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 5</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=sli7iynarmn5" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 6</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=aomzswixsirt" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 7</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=i1smm7n6e1uu" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 8</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=iktdiplzrwt1" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last Part</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-87190898096590462562008-07-07T05:31:00.009+08:002008-07-09T01:09:45.251+08:00Episode 17<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;" >Out of Control</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=sxujeer5uysj" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 1</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=s2ulsbe6r5mk" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 2</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=sbmbn5ilubtr" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 3</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=sem3ixigaprd" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 4</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=teryler4u7ny" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 5</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=tbt1sce3sqib" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 6</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=tarpl1mxnms8" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 7</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=tnmirul9tasi" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 8</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=rosfnmnqrcmz" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last Part</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-17243872293588000252008-07-01T23:06:00.002+08:002008-07-02T17:50:06.876+08:00Episode 16<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;" >Courage</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=epuis7mxabnb" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 1</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ensyagszmjn3" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 2</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=esrnm3ufigro" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 3</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=e0mrt1s1eoau" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 4</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=eweteiaturlf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 5</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=esattolurhav" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 6</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=a7isncl1l9iw" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 7</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=apsuldtssyeb" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 8</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=avsguwiwrxil" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 9</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-16061002046920177152008-06-23T23:43:00.009+08:002008-06-27T00:37:01.493+08:00Episode 15<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;" >Uncuttable</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=n7nctwmde2ez" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 1</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=n9txttsnnau7" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 2</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=sgt0irshlhsb" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 3</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=s7epm0mwaini" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 4</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=t0lsaplnseac" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 5</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=t6iwu7neipsm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 6</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=t9art6s2nzsh" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last Part</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-56698005647585759852008-06-18T07:52:00.009+08:002008-06-20T00:33:17.656+08:00Episode 14<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Love in Shanghai</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=urs8e5snsntk" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 1</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ugaxe0mksais" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 2</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=mgs8i3e7a9mm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 3</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=m5tfm7e8n0l0" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 4</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=mcunraljuliv" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 5</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=eirharndmbs3" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 6</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=e8a5nce8uba7" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last Part</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </span></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-2930118341108589862008-06-09T20:50:00.012+08:002008-06-11T15:08:30.771+08:00Episode 13<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:180%;" >Rebirth</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ane5eeldaasi" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 1</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=lki8n8ekspsn" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 2</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=lvm4e5t3enlz" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 3</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=lps9afmzi8sj" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 4</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=lsm0u0rtlss0" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 5</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=lur5t2eji7ax" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part 6</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=lfner7rmn9iw" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last Part</span></a></span> </div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-76811959793718655712008-06-05T17:53:00.002+08:002008-06-06T00:41:01.376+08:00Episode 12<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Everything Back to Zero...</span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=smrqu6s3izmh%20" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=tgthiue7ajsa%20" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=tenzrprbr0l5%20" target="_blank">Part 3</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=t0rzr2s9e6mm%20" target="_blank">Part 4</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=tsuaugrklxm0%20" target="_blank">Part 5</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=tfs1ril6u6if%20" target="_blank">Part 6</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=r1rimosqewah%20" target="_blank">Part 7</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ramjtkuhrlih" target="_blank">Last Part</a></span><br /></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-77440019206103441752008-06-05T17:49:00.002+08:002008-08-05T03:57:35.289+08:00Episode 11<div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ji Cun Xi's Difficult Problem!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=eeluaka2n8rn%20" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ehlme9t7e6st%20" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=estvmju8e7ax%20" target="_blank">Part 3</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ejazspeuutrf%20" target="_blank">Part 4</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ein9mgmgaiav%20" target="_blank">Part 5</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=evr2uqissksl%20" target="_blank">Part 6</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=e1s6merxsymj%20" target="_blank">Part 7</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=eirbsxegs9mm%20" target="_blank">Last Part</a></span></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-85629099512667499852008-06-05T17:40:00.001+08:002008-06-05T23:56:54.043+08:00Episode 10<div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happiness, Like Treading on Ice<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=igrrm8lss5t8%20" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ifutuhuurdeb%20" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ire1iblnras0%20" target="_blank">Part 3</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=nki3iou0rbu3%20" target="_blank">Part 4</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=n4lms8nxtsmk%20" target="_blank">Part 5</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=nxnyerinu9u4%20" target="_blank">Part 6</a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=nsu6idtvsfuy" target="_blank">Last Part</a></span><br /></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-66856408212350441322008-06-05T17:21:00.002+08:002008-06-08T10:46:35.364+08:00Episode 9<div style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">The Drastic Change of Ji Cun Xi's Feelings!<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ram4aysxlca2" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Part 1</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=u8itiut6n4r9%20" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Part 2</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=mnegtdlmrzri%20" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Part 3</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=m5tbi1iht4iy" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Part 3 (alternate link)</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=u8eci5izm7lq%20" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Part 4</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ezlomqa3azs2%20" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Part 5</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=uoazs2iotrrn%20" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Part 6</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=etn9rvrplomp%20" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Part 7</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ean9uvr6r3sg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Part 7 (alternate link)</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=edube1aus1mr%20" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Part 8</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=e3toaasan7m3%20" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last Part</span></a></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-21682147644771840482008-06-05T15:37:00.002+08:002008-06-06T00:39:57.082+08:00Episode 8<div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For You, I am Willing to be a Chicken</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=i4s0r7t2i4tl" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=imuts5simli7" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=iluieyrklglz" target="_blank">Part 3</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ifm1rtnde9lb" target="_blank">Part 4</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=ieerierrunaw" target="_blank">Part 5</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=nai9u3svsdmh" target="_blank">Part 6</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=nen8l1aeaqt0" target="_blank">Part 7</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=numjlqa0mlnh" target="_blank">Part 8</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=n5mxrarvajaq" target="_blank">Part 9</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=n5mxrarvajaq" target="_blank">Last Part</a></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=n5mxrarvajaq" target="_blank"> </a></span>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-75508138116659115912008-06-05T13:20:00.002+08:002008-06-12T13:34:50.809+08:00Epilogue<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">[Translated by </span><b style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">J-Star Supporter</b><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">]<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">[Edited by </span><b style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Beauty_Karova</b><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><b><br /></b></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><b>One Year Later</b></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The future Ji heir, in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, is finally born. All the focus and attention is on him.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Granny loves him to death. Every time daddy picks him up, he is so gentle and careful, as if he is afraid to drop and break him. Any time he cries, mom would rush over to the crib. Dylan even fought to be godfather and gave him an art piece as his birthday gift.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >That day, when Xin Yi is breastfeeding the baby in the nursery, she says, shaking her head, "We're spoiling this baby. He's going to grow up and become another prince."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"What's wrong with being a prince?" Cun Xi completely focuses on his wife feeding their baby. "He just has to be happy!" As long as his wife and son are happy, Cun Xi would give everything to them.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi is smiling sweetly, "Oh yes, Anna sent us an invitation. She's going to be performing "Swan Lake" next month at Lincoln Center as the female lead."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Congratulations to her!" Cun Xi is happy for his ex-girlfriend. "Do you want to go watch?"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Of course" Xin Yi says without thinking twice. "This is her invitation to battle with me! How could I not accept?"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I don't get you two. Should I call you two enemies? Or friends?" Cun Xi says smiling. This past year, Xin Yi and Anna have been keeping in touch through email, maintaining an ambiguous sort of relationship.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Also, Dylan finally found a girlfriend. He'll introduce us to her the next time he's in Taiwan."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Excellent!" Cun Xi is excited, finally being able to let go and stop worrying about his love rival.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Even Granny, has started anew with her first love, Zhong Shan Da Shi. Everyone is living happily!"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"What about you?" Cun Xi asked.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I'm the most happy. With you and the baby by my side, I'm the world's happiest woman." Xin Yi told him.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Cun Xi smiles back at Xin Yi, "I'm really the happiest man on earth."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Cun Xi slowly moves closer in and places his lips on his beloved wife, giving her a deep kiss....</span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >THE END</span><br /></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-5611612680806896022008-06-05T13:10:00.002+08:002008-06-12T13:35:26.886+08:00Chapter 10<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">[Translated by </span><b style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">J-Star Supporter</b><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">]<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">[Edited by </span><b style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Beauty_Karova</b><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Each and every sticky note on posters all tell their own story. Filling up Xin Yi's art gallery, Cun Xi uses the audio speakers to let Xin Yi know all the feelings he's bottled up deep within his heart for so long; more importantly Cun Xi wants to let Xin Yi know that sticky notes exist because of love…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Ever since Xin Yi got angry with Cun Xi at the hospital, it's been an entire week since she last saw him.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Has he finally given up?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi tells herself she should be at ease now, but a part of her can't help but feel at lost. So his determination was only that. All she did was yell at him and he's given up.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi remembers how upset she was with herself for wavering. Rather than constantly thinking about it day and night, she sends a new copy of the divorce agreement to the Ji household, informing them of her determination. Xin Yi decides to resign from her job at the ceramics center and leave after finishing up this semester.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">That day, as she is taking the bus home after class, Xin Yi is looking at the view from the window and suddenly remembers that the first day she arrived at the Ji household, she was also carrying luggage all by herself riding the bus.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The Xin Yi back then remembered how even though she knew Cun Xi didn't love her, she still thought of him as her prince and secretly dreamt of her fairytale in her heart. Now she knows that a woman must learn to be independent and can not rely on a prince to save her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She'll no longer consider so and so as her prince…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi rests on the window, letting her thoughts run listlessly, suddenly sees a commercial poster that grabs her attention….</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">CHEN XIN YI'S CERAMICS SHOWCASE</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">What is this? Xin Yi can't believe what the words plastered on the poster say. When did she set up a showcase? How could she not know? Could it be someone with the same name?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Extremely curious, Xin Yi gets off the bus and carefully examines the poster. It doesn't specify a place and time, but the still curious Xin Yi walks further along the street and realizes it's not just a poster. Even the huge television prompter beside the plaza is advertising this mysterious showcase.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">A bus passes by and it's also advertising the same showcase. Xin Yi is at lost for a while, but then suddenly sees a familiar shadow pass her by.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">It's Cun Xi. It appears as if he's putting up a poster under a streetlight.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Can this all be Cun Xi's doing? Xin Yi is confused and uncontrollably yells out "Cun Xi!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He hears her voice and turns around and sees Xin Yi. In sheer happiness, Cun Xi hurries across the street not seeing a car coming in his direction.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Be careful!" she yells, heart racing.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The car swooshes by and Xin Yi looks all around for Cun Xi, terrified and unable to breathe. She sees him on the ground and is nearly in tears.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She runs to him and kneels down "Cun Xi Cun Xi, are you alright? Did the car hit you? Are you hurt?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Cun Xi gradually opens his eyes. "I'm fine, don't worry."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Then why do you look so terrible? And continue to sweat? Be honest with me, are you really hurt? Where does it hurt?" She examines every inch of him, her heart aching.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I'm fine. I'm really fine." Cun Xi comforts her and forces himself up. "Xin Yi." He says in a gasp voice.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Yeah?" Xin Yi replies, not completely recomposed yet. When she thought he was hurt, everything was chaotic, and for a moment she feared she was really going to lose him.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Cun Xi looks at her. He has so much he wants to tell her, but can't bring himself to do so. He points to all the posters.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She looks closely and sees each poster has a colored sticky note on it. It has two little figures pointing a direction drawn on it.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"What does this mean?" she asks him quizzically.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">With a bittersweet smile, "Just keep looking and you'll find out."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She nods and walks towards the direction the sticky notes are pointing at. As she walks further along she finds more sticky notes pointing in another direction. The expressions on the sticky note figures are also changing. Looking at them one by one she realizes the boy and girl doll figures are acting out a story. They met on a ship and at the beginning, the girl doll figure is always getting yelled at. The girl doll figure turns and leaves with tears on her face. The boy doll figure regrets it so much and chases after her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He apologizes to her over and over again, but the girl doll figure pays no attention to him. The last note shows the boy doll figure at a standstill holding his broken heart, completely helpless.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi slowly understands the story; her chest is aching and tears are stinging her face.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">These comics are really ugly and it's obvious it was personally drawn by a man with absolutely no artistic talent.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She follows the sticky notes and goes into an alley with a cute entrance and arrives at an exquisite art gallery.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I'll wait for you here" Cun Xi says "You go on in."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Alright." She hesitates for a moment before following the art gallery's director into the showcase area and sees all of her art pieces on display.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi is shocked. All these art pieces were bought by her number one fan. Can Cun Xi be that mysterious fan? Has he been the one secretly watching over her?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Xin Yi." Cun Xi's voice is suddenly heard in the room.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi is startled and thinks Cun Xi has come in, but she doesn't see him anywhere. Then she sees the speakers in the corner and realizes Cun Xi has recorded what he is going to say to her earlier.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"If you can hear this tape, then that means you must've found the art gallery. This gallery displays all of your art pieces. I acquired each piece one by one. You probably wouldn't have sold any of them to me, but I'm still so happy I could be your number one fan. I…actually, I knew early on you were in Shanghai, but I wasn't brave enough to see you."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Why? Why didn't you meet with me?" Xin Yi asks.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Because I didn't want to bother you." Cun Xi answers like he knows that Xin Yi is going to ask him that. "I was afraid that I would hurt you again if you saw me."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He was afraid to hurt me? Then why did he bother me later on? Why did he put out those ads to trick me back into coming to Taiwan?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Those runaway bride ads were published by Grandma. I don't care if you believe it or not, but it was really Grandma who put out those ads. It wasn't until you came back to Taiwan and I saw you face-to-face did I realize that I could never lose you again. I told myself that I wanted you to be happy. You and Dylan were so happy together. I shouldn't bother you, but I…can't let go. Xin Yi, I…" Cun Xi takes a swallow and can tell he sounds really nervous. "I love you; I really…really love you."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Liar! He loves Anna; he's been with her these last two years!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I wanted to chase after you then, but Anna was hurt. It was possible she'd never dance again. I had to stay and help her with therapy, to support her. Even though her leg is better now, she's developed a fear nonetheless. She said she wanted to stay in Taiwan and be with me, but I knew it was because she was afraid to stand on that stage again. I made it clear to her that I no longer loved her. The person I'm in love with….is you, is you, Xin Yi."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Liar, you're lying! Tears are flowing down Xin Yi's face. Xin Yi is so overwhelmed she can't even stand up and kneels down. She can't believe it, how could he love her? He has to be messing with her, he has to be!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She won't be dumb again and fall in love with him a second time. If she is silly enough to fall for him again, then she's a lost cause. No one will be able to save her…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi remembers how she left the Ji household two years ago devastated, how she forced herself to stand on her own two feet, how she went from being a caterpillar to a butterfly. How can all of her hard work just evaporate like that with what he said?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I love you Xin Yi." He has to continue to tug her heart. "You listen carefully. Ji Cun Xi loves Chen Xin Yi!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">It's too late! Why didn't you say this two years ago? Why now?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Did you know how devastated I was when I miscarried? How heartbroken I was when you chose Anna right in front of me and said I was like a sticky note? She wanted to run away so many times when she was studying ceramics in Shanghai, but she didn't because she didn't want to lose out to Anna; to lose out to the woman he loved. She worked hard to overcome her weaknesses and told herself she was not the same Chen Xin Yi. She wasn't going to be the sticky note girl that anyone could use as they please.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"You've misunderstood what I said, Xin Yi. That day when I told Anna you were like a sticky note, I didn't mean to say you were unimportant, but too important. What you mean to me is like the air I breathe everyday. I couldn't imagine ever living without you. Sticky notes aren't necessarily just pieces of trash you throw away after using them. Each sticky note can symbolize an intimate concern. Because we love that person, so we use sticky notes to leave them messages. You used to always leave me messages on sticky notes, telling me not to work too late into the night, to remember to bundle up—do you remember?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi never thought of this meaning for sticky notes. She always hated herself for being like a sticky note, but he told her that it's because of love.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I felt so warm inside then, but you probably didn't even know that. Actually I…." Cun Xi takes a deep breath. "I'm a man who's terrified of being alone. Anna wasn't with me or even in contact with me then, but you were always there to show concern for me in your own way. You're really simple, childish. I'm always so happy when I'm with you. I love seeing you smile. I love seeing that atrocious posture when you're sleeping on the bed." He chuckles a little. "Do you know your posture when you're sleeping is no where near lady-like?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Yeah, I'm not lady-like, so what? Xin Yi's face starts burning, but her heart is feeling this sweet sensation.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"This time, let me be your sticky note! I'll be your sticky note boy. Whatever you want, just leave me a message and I'll definitely do it for you. How about it?" Cun Xi promises.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi looks at everything around her and suddenly comes to the conclusion that when she was creating these pieces, the person she was thinking of was him!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">It was always him…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The audiotape stops. In through the doorway comes a tall figure. It is Cun Xi. He looks at Xin Yi, his face pale.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Xin Yi," He calls in a hoarse voice. Her heart feels like it is about to break seeing him like that.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Why must he always be at a loss for words when he sees her? Why must she reject him?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Xin Yi." He calls once again with so much sentimentality, telling her to come over.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi gets up and waits for him to speak, but he doesn't say a word. He smiles and slowly reaches out for her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She thinks he is going to hug her, but he ends up falling towards her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"What's the matter? Cun Xi? Are you alright?" Xin Yi asks frighteningly.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He doesn't answer. Cold one minute and hot the next, Cun Xi is just shaking in Xin Yi's arms.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">-----------------------------------------------------------------</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The doctor says Cun Xi has a fever, which has turned into pneumonia, so he is sent down to the ICU.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"How can you get pneumonia? Don't you know how to take good care of yourself?" Xin Yi is concerned and frustrated at the same time.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I think he just overworked." Granny comes to the hospital to visit Cun Xi. "These last couple of days, he barely had any sleep. And today he went out in this wind. His body probably couldn't take it anymore."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Why hasn't he been sleeping?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Because of you!" Granny sighs deeply</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Because of me?" Xin Yi is surprised</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"He's been spending the last couple of days preparing your showcase even though he has work in the day, so he's been pulling all-nighters. I also saw him drawing profusely in his study and he'd do it over and over again if he wasn't satisfied. The trash can was all filled up. I told him to get some rest, but he refused."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Why must he….be so stupid?" Xin Yi's eyes start to fill with tears thinking of how Cun Xi stayed up drawing those pictures for her. "Idiot. Complete idiot. And who was the one who used to say I was stupid. He's the biggest idiot."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He's the idiot. An idiot completely blinded by his crazy love for her. She's the one who's been so cruel to Cun Xi these last days. Now in retrospect, she regrets being so mean and stubborn.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi sits on Cun Xi's bed and holds tightly onto his hand. "Listen carefully you idiot, this time it's my turn to make the decision- I've decided to continue loving you, to be with you. You hear me?" Xin Yi is smiling despite her tears. "So get well soon. I never want you to make me worry again."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">--------------------------------------------------------------</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Three days later Cun Xi is released from the hospital. As soon as the two come home, they make passionate love like they are going to leave their marks on each others' bodies. All the mistakes they've made in the past will be mended little by little as they look on towards their future.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Cun Xi asks about Xin Yi's process of learning ceramics. On the one hand he is proud of her, yet part of him can't help but feel the pain she went through. "Doesn't matter now because you've gotten through it all." He gently brushes her hair. "You're art pieces are now critically acclaimed."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I have Dylan to thank for that. He's been the one by my side supporting me. Without him, I would've ran back to Taiwan a long time ago."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Oh really now?" Cun Xi starts to fire up. "You didn't actually accept his proposal did you?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"What do you think?" Xin Yi sticks out her finger and playfully draws on Cun Xi's chest.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Cun Xi grabs Xin Yi's finger and looks her in the eyes. "You clear things up with him tomorrow! Tell him the person you really love is me and he'd better stop thinking he has a future with you!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Look at you! You're acting like a little grade schooler declaring his power of authority." Xin Yi looks at him "I'm messing with you! I never accepted him proposal. I just wore the ring on purpose to tick you off."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Oh I see it now! So you've got the guts to mess with your husband." Cun Xi gently bits Xin Yi's finger.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"We never lived together in Shanghai either. You misunderstood."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"We never lived together in Shanghai either. You misunderstood."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"You never lived together?" Cun Xi is shocked at the revelation. He suddenly turns himself over and is on top of Xin Yi and looking down at her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I can't believe you have turned me into such a jealous maniac. Answer me now! How are you going to make it up to me?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Whatever. It's not my fault your imagination was running wild!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I don't care! You still have to comfort and take care of my damaged soul." Cun Xi is behaving like a little child.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"What damaged soul?" Xin Yi can't help but feel happy, yet helpless at the same time. "Fine, how do you want me to comfort you?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Well then." Cun Xi flutters his eyebrows, lowers his head, and whispers into Xin Yi's ears. "Why don't….you give me another baby?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"What?" Xin Yi freezes.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I know getting it on the first try might not be possible. I have no problem with that, we'll just keep trying!" Cun Xi proclaims his request and pounces on Xin Yi…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Inside the bedroom, an unstoppable array of romance between the two would make anyone crazy.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">----------------------------------------------------------------</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"So you've decided to stay with Ji Cun Xi?" Dylan feels regret and sadness when Xin Yi returns the ring to him.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I'm sorry Dylan. I know you treat me so well but I….I love Cun Xi. I guess it's fated that I love him." Xin Yi sighs with a small smile.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"You're not afraid you'll regret your decision?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"If I was afraid, then I could never fall in love again. I've found the courage to believe in him, and believe in myself."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Dylan silently looks on at Xin Yi and he can see the courage and determination inside of this woman. He knows he can't persuade her anymore. The Xin Yi now knows exactly what she wants.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I guess then, there's nothing else for me but to give you my blessing. I want you to be happy."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I will."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi is touched by Dylan's blessing. She feels so lucky to have Dylan as a friend. However, that other woman won't give her blessing so easily.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Cun Xi says that even though he and Anna have broken up, she still hasn't given up on them. Anna hasn't been herself and at times, will drink away her sorrows.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi is really worried about Anna. Some would think Xin Yi is dumb for worrying about her rival, but Xin Yi still hopes Anna can let go of the past and find new love again.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi takes the initiative to go see Anna.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"What are you doing here?" Anna is staring out the window aimlessly but as soon as she sees Xin Yi, she fires up.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I came to see you."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Came to see me? As I recall, we don't have the kind of relationship where we socialize together."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I want to talk to you." Xin Yi ignores Anna's reply and makes her motive of coming here clear.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Anna thinks Xin Yi came to gloat. "What do you want to say to me?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"You know, I used to be really envious of you. Not only are you beautiful, but also confident. Everytime Cun Xi mentioned you, I could tell just how much he loved you."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Really?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I always looked at the picture of you in his study, and imagine how amazing you were on stage dancing. Cun Xi said that you're a natural born performer who belongs on stage. Why aren't you dancing now?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"What does it matter to you whether or not I dance?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Of course it matters to me" Xin Yi says calmly "Did you know that I used you as my incentive when I was studying in Shanghai. I told myself I could not lose to you. I had to work hard, hoping one day that I can catch up to you and become someone just as mesmerizing as you."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"You… used me as your incentive?" Anna's mood is now different.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi nods looking straight at her. "But the person you are now…I'm really disappointed. The confident Anna is no longer there. The Anna who would still stand tall even if she fell on stage…where did she go?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"You….this is no matter for you to care about!" Anna is shaking and suddenly starts to feel disgusted with herself. "Get out. You get out now!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I'm not going. I want you to look at this." Xin Yi takes out a DVD and pops it into the player, not caring if Anna objects.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">A few seconds later, the screen is showing a ballet dancer dressed in fiery red performing on stage.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">That's Anna. The Anna from two years ago. The Anna then loved dancing with a passion. Her world wasn't filled with only love, but dreams as well.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"This is you. Do you remember?" Xin Yi asks.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Of course Anna remembers! How could she possibly forget? She really wants to be back onstage, really really wants to, but she is afraid. She is afraid of getting hurt again and then not being able to get back up…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Anna's tears start covering her eyes.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">When did she become such a weak woman? This isn't her! Anna Shi is a strong and courageous woman. Even if she fell, she would laugh it off and get back up right?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"You can dance again. You definitely can." Xin Yi encourages her. "Even I, the person you looked down on, can become an artist. Why can't you stand on that stage again? Is it because you don't compare to me?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"How can I not compare to you!" Anna is unappeased.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Then prove it to me." Xin Yi says smiling. "Prove it to me Anna!" Anna just looks at Xin Yi, completely speechless.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">---------------------------------------------------------------</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I heard you took the initiative to see Anna." Several nights later, Cun Xi is holding Xin Yi in his arms about to go to bed.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Uh huh."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"She's really mad. She called me and complained, saying how you could think so highly if yourself."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Oh?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"She wanted me to tell you, that she's not going to lose to you. She's going to pick up from where she left off. She's going back to New York and start anew on stage. Wants you to just wait and see."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Really? Did she really say that?" Xin Yi is smiling.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"I give you props!" Cun Xi says while gently playing with Xin Yi's hair. "Definitely lives up to being the woman Ji Cun Xi loves, you're the best!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"From the way you're speaking, it sounds like you've been mesmerized by me?" Xin Yi says slyly.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Yes, I'm completely infatuated and mesmerized by you, Chen Xin Yi." He says boldly. The male ego, when in love, can only be set aside. "Are you satisfied?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi doesn't say anything. She just smiles in pure b</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">liss.</span></span><br /></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-46132719825999787172008-06-05T12:45:00.005+08:002008-06-12T13:35:46.558+08:00Chapter 9<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >[translated by: </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="edit"><span style="font-size:130%;">xiaojade]</span><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Xinyi saw the newspaper’s advertisement and in a hurry, packed her stuff to go back to Taiwan.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Dylan stopped her; he thought it was just Cun Xi’s plan for getting her back to his house. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >“Why would he want to trick me back to his house?” She doesn’t think so. “Plus he pays so much respect toward his grandmother; I believe he would not take grandmother’s health as a joke. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Dylan could not convince her, adding to the fact that he personally called Cun Xi’ grandmother and the housekeeper said her health is not well. And she is currently at the hospital. He believed it as well, agreed to let Xin Yi return back to Taiwan.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >“Wait until I am finished with the business here, I will fly back to Taiwan. You should take care of yourself.” He said.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Xin Yi nodded and did not say much. She took the first airplane to return to Taiwan. Then she took the taxi to get to Cun Xi’s house. The housekeeper predicted she would appear and bought her to the living room right away.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >“Grandma? What happened? Is she ok?” She asked in a hurry.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The housekeeper did not get a chance to answer, Cun Xi came downstairs. He was stunned to see her. “What are you here for?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Asking me? She glared at him. “Wasn’t it you that told me to come back?”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >“I told you?” He asked.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >“You put an advertisement saying grandma is sick. You wanted me to return.”</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > Cun Xi even more surprised. “I said grandma sick….”</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />“Xin Yi, you, you finally came.” Grandma saying this and the housekeeper helps her get downstairs. “I missed you so much!”</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />“Grandma!” Xin Yi ran to hold on to her. “How come you came out? I can go up to see you. How are you? Is your body better?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >“Finally came back from being almost dead.” Grandma kept saying. She sat on the sofa. “But the doctor said my body is very weak, I am afraid that I won’t live long.”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Grandma, do not say that! Xin Yi exclaimed. “You will be long lived”</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“If it is really that, it would be great.” She shakes her head. “I am scared, I can’t even go pass these few months.”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“No, grandma, you have me to accompany you, you will get better.”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Good child, I did not cherish you for nothing.”</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br />“Grandma…”<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br />"Which show is this?" Cun Xi thought. He is not stupid; he can tell that grandma was just acting weak in front of Xin Yi. She knows that her health is very good. How could she say that she can’t live pass this month?<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “Cun Xi, what you are standing there for? It is hard that Xin Yi came back. How come you didn’t tell the housekeeper to clean the room and move her suitcase upstairs” Grandma gave him a look.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Grandma’s wish was having Xin Yi to move back home? Cun Xi understood. Actually the one who put on the advertisement was grandma. It was her that used the excuse of her health to trick Xin Yi back.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Grandma, I just came back to accompany you, I didn’t say I am living here.” Xin Yi said with guilt.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Come back” Cun Xi said with a face and a straightforward tone. “You don’t plan to live here, are you going to go live in a hotel?”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“I am really going to go living in a hotel. I already booked the room.” She said with confidence. “I will come to visit and accompany her, but I won’t live here.” She said clearly.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Since when did she learned to say “no”?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> Cun Xi was confused. He felt that the woman in front of him was not the Xin Yi he knew before but different.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Ever since she rejected to live at Cun Xi’ house, there was even more rejections from Xin Yi. Cun Xi couldn’t bear to see her living in such a small business class hotel. He booked a five-star hotel room for her, yet she rejected it. She didn’t want it. During the day, she is with Grandma, at night, she goes to teach ceramics. He thought that was too tiring, and wanted her to quit. She wouldn’t. He bought a car for her, and she rejected and sent it back. He wanted to celebrate her birthday. She said no. She said she already made appointment with Dylan.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Ever since she came back from Taiwan, she kept on saying “no”. He is so mad about that.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">At the worst time, she said in front of him that she is going on a date with another guy. Yet he knew that he had no rights to interfere. He couldn’t believe that she is living with him in Shanghai. At the auction, she stood up for Dylan till the end. Cun Xi is mad and bothered along with a feeling of jealousy.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He acted like a one-side love teenager, secretly followed Xin Yi out to date. She and Dylan went to a very romantic restaurant. Though the windows, he could see the two of them laughing and was having a great time.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He never before seen Xin Yi like this, she smiled so sweetly and very open about it. She was not shy like before, always tried to please people. She is now confident and full of brightness.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She changed.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">And she kind of didn’t, she still treat Grandma the same, so sweet and careful. Grandma always talks about how great Xin Yi is in front of Cun Xi. Grandma was hinting to him that losing this daughter in law was a lost. To the housekeeper, she was still very nice and kind and wouldn’t put up an attitude. She helped the people walking by. She was still very willing to help others.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Or maybe, she only changed toward him. She toward him. She is not as careful and can say that she doesn’t care for him at all.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Marry me! Xin Yi” Dylan proposed.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi was stunned and space-out. “You… are not seriously right?”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“I admit that I am not a very serious person, but this is not something to joke about.” Dylan smiled bitterly. “I am serious toward you, Xin Yi”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“But…” Xin yi said. She always thought this man as her best friend and a caring brother. She never thought about having a relationship with him.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“I know that you can’t take it at the moment but I thought about it for a long time. I will wait for you till the day that you recover from your last marriage.” Dylan said understandingly. “I know that Ji Cun Xi hurt you deeply. Because of him you closed your heart and is afraid of falling in love again. But don’t you think it is about time? You are not the same Chen Xin Yi as before. You don’t have to close your heart because of Ji Cun Xi.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“But….isn’t it too fast? We are not even a couple yet”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“When we should set marriage as a goal. Let’s date!” Dylan hold on to her hand. “Xin Yi, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Believe me, I will protect you and won’t let you suffer.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t ready for all this. Even though she was not interested in him, but hearing these words she can’t help to not feel it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Nobody ever said those words to her before. No one ever said that he will protect her forever and live the rest of his life with her. The most wanted dream came true.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Dylan, I….”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Don’t say yes!” Someone yelled.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Cun Xi suddenly popped up. Cun Xi came from the back, with a stone face with sharp eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Chen Xin Yi, I won’t allow you to accept his proposal!” He demanded.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She was confused and worried. She stood up and said “You don’t have the right to not allow it.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Because you are my wife, because I am your husband!” He said loudly.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She was mad. “Did you forget? We already divorced!”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“We didn’t!” He said. Not caring about the other people’s weirdly looks. “I didn’t sign on the divorce paper, so you are still my wife. You are my woman!”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She is….his woman? Xin Yi’s face turned pale. What is going on?<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Cun Xi hold on to her shoulder and locked her. “Xin Yi, you are mine. I will not give to you to another man!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> Ever since the incident at the restaurant, Cun xi finally understands that he can’t lose Xin Yi. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Two years ago she left, he was going to get her back except Anna’s feet was hurt. He told himself that he can’t leave Anna behind. He controlled his own feelings. Later, he saw her in Shanghai, afraid to bother her. He told himself that he should wish her happiness.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">But now, he can’t control it anymore. He can’t control his heart flying toward Xin Yi. He does not care if she hates nor if she is planning on marrying another guy. He is selfish to the point that he wants her again.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He had her before but didn’t cherish her during that time, even if there is no second chance he is determined to try it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">First, he has to break up with Anna. He told Anna that he actually love Xin Yi.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Anna guessed it a long time ago. At Shanghai, during the show, she was confident about that already. But she didn’t want to face reality. “Why do you like that woman? I really don’t understand what about that you like. How is she better than me?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Love is not to compare to”, he said an in low voice. “It is not that she is better than you. It is because I love her. When I am sleeping the one I dream of is her. When I wake up the first one I want to see is her. That is it.” Like this, I think of her that I can’t control myself.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“I don’t believe you, Cun xi. You love me, you can not not love me!” Anna felt that she had lost Cun Xi. “Look at me! I am Anna! Because of you, I gave up the stage and stayed in Taiwan. This is all because of you!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“But I don’t want you to give up.” He insulted her. “Go back! Anna, you belong to the dancing stage. Don’t be scare to go back because you fell at the stage. This is not like the Anna I know.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“I am not scared! I am because of you…”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“You are not here because of me, you are just scare that when you turn there is no goal. You are afraid to fell again. You don’t need me. Your heart is your goal. You once dreamt of performing “Swan Lake” at Lin Kan center as the main female character. How could you so easily give up?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“I…” said Anna. She wondered to herself rather if this was really love or was it really the fear that is making her stay in Taiwan.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Let’s break up!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Ever since the break up with Anna, Cun Xi follows Xin Yi closely.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Using the techniques he never thought of, when he was trying to get Anna. He also took the first steps such as send flowers, gifts, and picking her up after a dancing show with this cool racing car.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">But to Xin Yi, he didn’t use the same techniques. She didn’t want his flowers, gifts and refused to get on his car. She didn’t want to have a date with him. He could only sign up for the ceramic classes.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He signed up for all the classes from old people to children. The receptionist looked at him weirdly and he pretended not to care at all.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He tried his best to reschedule meetings with people, tried to get all the work done, finish everything before work ends. After work, he rushes to the ceramic classroom and be her troublemaker student.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He always ask these kind of questions, for examples—</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Teacher, I want to make something for my wife. What do you think she will like?”</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Teacher, if I make this cup will you give me a prize?”</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Teacher, if a woman wouldn’t follow the basics of a marriage. What do you think the man should do?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She always gets really annoyed. But when she looked, he was still trying really hard to learn ceramic too bad he doesn’t have the talent. The things he made are all so messed up.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Children’s class’s children laugh at him. “You are really dumb! You can’t even make a cup?”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Who said I can’t make it?” He was unhappy. It is just a bad cup!<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“HA HA HA~~ What is this? This is a cup?”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Everybody come look! His cup has angles! How come there is only one? Just make it be two!”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Yea, two will be a monster!”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He was sad from being laughed at but he still put on an image. “Bratty kids, if you say more, I’ll hit you!”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“AHH~~ Monster talked!”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“So scary!”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The children ran and jumped, laughing and clapping at the same time not afraid of his treats at all.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi was laughing by the side. He thought he was a grown man seeing the authority of children.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He thought these kids are easy to deal with?<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi saw him trying to form the shape of the clay along with dealing with the children. His face turned red. Not knowing why, her cold heart melted.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">If she and Cun Xi’s baby did get born, maybe the father and son would play…No way! Xin Yi stopped herself from thinking. She didn’t want to get his influence. The past is the past, you can’t go back.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Maybe he doesn’t even care about losing the baby. He doesn’t feel the lost. It is only her….<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Not easily, Cun Xi finally finished the cup and held it to her face. “Teacher, is this ok?”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Can’t not be uglier. Xin Yi laughed. “It is ok, can barely make it.”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Really?” His eyes shined. “Will the teacher give me a prize?”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"What prize?” She stared at him. “I never promise you anything.”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Hey~~the teacher didn’t do as said! You guys, isn’t that mean?” This time, Cun Xi and the kids gang up against her.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi feeling really embarrassed but thought it was funny too. Not knowing, her facial expression became softer. The way she looked at Cun Xi is not that cold.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Cun Xi knew that he made a great step. Happily continued to get Xin Yi. He woke up especially early to buy breakfast for her. He gave her his handmade cup. One for her and one for himself. When she comes to visit grandma, he comes out and stays with them.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He used her kindness, using donation to the orphanage as an excuse to invite her to a “kind hearted” meeting. They both came and under the VIP’s request, he danced with her.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“I am only dancing with you because of the donation to the orphanage. Don’t think too much”, she tried to form a clear line. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“The one thinking too much is you? He said. “I only want to dance with you. Under all these people what can I do to you?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Or…do you want me to do something?” He said with a low voice. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“You!” She glared at him.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He stared at her. Her lips are brightly red like a rose, seducing him. He thought of the night two years ago. He looked at her when she was asleep, wanting to kiss her, yet failed.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He tightened his arm around her waist. He lowered his head slowing coming closer and closer. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“You, what do you want to do?” She breathed heavily. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He didn’t talk but only looked at her deeply. The way he looked at her made her heart beat faster and faster. And then he touched her lips, softly making her unable to breathe.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She forgot to refuse. This is not the first time he kissed her but it is the first time that he kissed her to the point where she lost all her energy. She could hardly stand. She was held in his arms. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Not knowing how long. He let go of her. They looked at each other. The guest started to clap. Xin Yi woke up from her dream like state.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She took a breath, not believing what she just did. She ran out of the place. Her entire body was hot. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Xin Yi!” Cun Xi followed her. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Ji Cun Xi, let’s get a divorce right now! Xin Yi yelled. If it keeps going like this she will sink back to it. “You have to sign the divorce papers now and we will go to the city hall to officially confirm our divorce.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“I don’t want to divorce!” He wouldn’t allow it. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Why? We had a contract that when the baby is born then we divorce and since the baby is gone our marriage is nothing. Can you please end it!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“I don’t want to”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"Why don’t you want to?" Xin Yi almost went crazy. “What do you really want? Don’t you already have Anna? Why do you still have to play around with me?<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“I broke up with Anna” Cun Xi said in a serious tone. “I and she are impossible [to be together again].”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Why impossible [to be together].” Did he always loved Anna? Didn’t he choose Anna over her in front of her?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Because I was wrong.” He could almost see that she is confused. “That night, the person whom I really want to choose was you except I was too dumb and saw my heart wrong.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Saw your heart wrong? What kind of lame excuse is that? He did expect her to believe that? “You liar! You don’t even care about me, nor the baby. When I lost the baby didn’t you feel relief?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He was relieved? Cun Xi spaced out, “I didn’t…”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Just as you said, I am just like a post-it note to you!” She glared at him with hatred with fire eyes. “Let me tell you, Ji Cun Xi. I am not the post-it note girl as before! From now on, don’t you ever try to use me and throw me away! I am not that stupid anymore!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“I said you were like post-it note?” Cun Xi stood and thought. Then He thought that maybe she overheard it at the hospital when he was talking with Anna. “You misunderstood. I didn’t mean it that way.” He wants explain, yet he doesn’t know where to start. He never thought he had to express his love toward her. He felt kind of weird.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi misunderstood his shortcoming to express himself and felt even more broken hearted. “I am begging you, Ji Cun Xi. Let me go ok. I can no longer play this game with you. Let me go, I beg you, let me go…” as she was saying this, tears roll down her cheek.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Cun Xi felt bad for seeing her tears. He was panicking as the whole chest was losing something bit by bit.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Did he really lose her?<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“What do I have to do for you to let go?” She hopelessly stared at him.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He took a long breath and tightened his palm. “I want you to give me three months, come back to Ji’s house, and be my wife. If after three months, I can’t change your mind then I will sign the papers.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She didn’t say anything.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He knew she was really scared but not knowing that he was more scared than she was. He was scared that she won’t follow this plan. Scared that she wouldn’t even give him the last chance.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> He purposely acted cool and put up an attitude. “So what? Are you ok with it?” </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She said "yes".<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“How could you agree with such plan?” Dylan was mad at Xin Yi’s decision. “Unless you still can’t forget about Ji Cun Xi.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“It is not that I can’t forget about him. I am just trying to solve this problem, that’s it” Xin Yi explained herself. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Dylan doesn’t believe her. He knows her too well. Ever since he first met her two years ago, he had been watching her.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He was a orphan. He has little feelings toward family. Ever since he knew Xin Yi, the stuff she said at prayers really touched him. He felt some kind of mother’s love from her. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The one that was always made fun of but won’t allow anyone to harm her child. God is always playing with her life yet she is always treating everyone nicely and never blamed other people. Dylan’s heart aches seeing her like this.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He brought her to Shanghai. He saw her changed. The person she is now, shining like a jade. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He was the one that found this jade, and he was the one that was with her during her hardest times. Ji Cun Xi didn’t even know how to appreciate her. Yet her heart was still with him.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“You can not do this!” He tried to convince her. “You give him three months now, you’ll have to follow his footsteps for life. Do you want to return back to the painful old days?” </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He saw that she is not so confident with that either. He sighed. “Ok, if you wish then I won’t stop you but you have to be engage to me first.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“What?” she is shocked. “Engagement with you?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She was actually engaged with Dylan.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The first official day that she went back to the Ji’ house, she invited Dylan over for dinner. Cun Xi saw Dylan already so no happy not to even mention Xin Yi is wearing the ring he gave her.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Dylan was happy. Grandma was shocked. Cun Xi was angry. He knew very will that she was doing this on purpose. Indirectly telling him that she is not changing her mind for these three months.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Chen Xin Yi, don’t you remember what you promised me?” He hit the table. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“I didn’t forget!” She looked at him. “I am giving you three months, after that I am going to be married to Dylan.”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“You are sure that you are not going to change your mind?” He was so mad that he was gridding his teeth. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“That is right! I, will, not!” She said it word by word. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /><br />“You…..”</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br />“Ok Ok, You two, stop fighting!” Grandma saw that the atmosphere wasn’t so great. She voiced to stop the two to continuing fighting. “Eat first, the dishes are getting cold.”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Cun Xi couldn’t even eat. “Grandma, let me clarify everything with this woman!”</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br />“I already said it very clearly, no matter if it is three months or a lifetime. I will not change my mind.”</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br />“Chen, Xin, Yi!”</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br />“What?”</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br />The glances are getting worse and worse. Grandma turned and held on to her chest, faking to be unable to breathe. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“It hurts….here, I feel so dizzy…” </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Dizzy as she said, she slowly fell back except Cun Xi held on to her. “Grandma! Are you ok?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi’s face turned pale. “I am going to call the ambulance.”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“No, no….” She shakes her hand. What a joke, if she really went to the hospital everything would be let out.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“But grandma, your body is not well; you must call the hospital to check what is wrong….”</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br />“I don’t have to, I just need some rest.”<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Cun Xi figured out that Grandma was really faking it. In the mean time, Dylan took out his cell phone and started to call the hospital.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Hello? 119? (In Taiwan it is 119 not 911 if you live in the states). I have a patient here that is sick. I need an ambulance. The address is…..” </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Ah! Grandma couldn’t react. There was no hope but to play act till the end. She went on the ambulance.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Paper can not wrap around fire. Dylan asked for the detail of the check up and it turned up that she was actually really healthy. Except for the blood pressure was bit high everything else it was all good.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Now do you know? Ji Cun Xi is lying to you right?” Dylan laughed coldly.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">He actually lied to her. She couldn’t believe that she was so easily tricked by him. How would anyone know if he is playing a going after her game, and then easily kick her away, just like the ex-boyfriends? She always had to be dump, can’t she learn from the past?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Xin Yi got angrier and angrier, mad at Cun Xi but madder at herself. “Do you have a heart? How could you use you own grandma’s health has a joke! I am very disappointed at you. Ji Cun Xi, from now on, I don’t ever want to see you again!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She left leaving him all by himself.</span></span><br /></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-66637230802547268782008-06-04T23:52:00.002+08:002008-06-20T16:32:09.184+08:00Chapter 8 - The Butterfly After Metamorphosis<div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Translated by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">indescribable</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Curtains fall, lights on.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The nostalgic longing of the two separated, in that moment, reconnects from the start.</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div class="spoiler_border"> <div class="spoiler"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In order to expand the company’s business, Cun Xi arrives in Shanghai, not knowing that there he would discover Xin Yi’s figure. Cun Xi greedily wants to solely possess all of Xin Yi’s pieces of work, not caring how expensive or cheap the price, he still wants to stay by her side……unknowingly he has already set his mind and heart! </i><br /><br /><b style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Two Years Later, Shanghai.</b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In order to inspect Mo Fa Ling’s expansion status in China, Cun Xi personally flies to Shanghai, and naturally his assistant Anson accompanies him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After holding a meeting with the company branch and factory manager, Cun Xi also took the convenient opportunity to meet with several investors, discussing company prospects in Hong Kong.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">During the few short days in Shanghai, five, six meetings were held, and in the evening he would also entertain clients. Cun Xi isn’t tired, but Anson, the one following him running everywhere, is tired to death, and cries out:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Boss, your work doesn’t have to be to THIS extreme, right? You still need to rest a little once in a while.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“If you’re tired, go back to the hotel first.” Not even glancing at him once, Cun Xi ignores him to read the business report. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">With the boss still working, how could he, the assistant, dare take a break? Anson sighs. Before, although the boss was serious, he still wouldn’t work day and night like a workaholic; these two years seemed like he went crazy, never stopping, not even having time to marry his girlfriend Anna. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Boss…”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Oh right, I almost forgot.” Cun Xi suddenly lifts up his head. “The manager who helps Granny purchase art items opened an art gallery in Shanghai; heard it has a lot of Master Zhong San Long’s work for sale. Anson, go find the location of the art gallery, I want to go choose a present for Granny.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Yes, I’ll go immediately.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After Anson retreated, Cun Xi stares off into space. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Ever since Xin Yi miscarried two years ago, after leaving a note and then taking off, Granny has been unhappy, missing Xin Yi, and her heart also aching for the precious great-grandchild who didn’t make it out into the world.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He has no way of finding Xin Yi back, and at this time cannot give Granny another great-grandchild, buying a ceramic piece to please her would be good too, hopefully she can be a little happier…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Boss, I found the address.” Anson reports back.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi nods, and after finishing work, immediately went with Anson to the art gallery. The art gallery has a very high-class atmosphere; one exhibition room specifically for the display of Zhong San Long’s pieces.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In there Cun Xi wanders, carefully choosing, when suddenly he heard a familiar voice.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Xiao Li, have my pieces already been put on display?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Is it Xin Yi? Cun Xi is shocked, hurriedly chasing out of the room, looking left and right. A woman turns around the hallway corner, and in that one short second, he already recognizes that it is Xin Yi, no mistake. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Stunned, he stands still, heart wildly pumping. After what seemed like a long time did he slowly follow.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He watches as Xin Yi discusses several newly displayed pieces of art with one of the art gallery workers, and in fact those displayed are her own work!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“I wonder, the first one to buy my pieces of work, who will it be?” Xin Yi murmurs, a little embarrassedly. “Shouldn’t be that no one will want to buy it, right?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“How could that be?” the worker comforts her. “Even Master Zhong San is proud of you, this apprentice of his; don’t worry, there will definitely be someone who knows how to admire your work.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Then I’ll hope that’s how it’ll be.” Xin Yi smiles slightly, and after bidding goodbye to the worker, shoulders a beautiful single-strap bag, leaving the art gallery.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi secretly follows, and Anson seeing the boss doing weird antics, comes over. “What is it? Boss…eh? Isn’t that…” He discovers Xin Yi, his whole self in shock. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi jumps into a taxi, and Cun Xi also immediately flags another one over. “Anson, go back by yourself first!” After saying this sentence, he orders the driver to follow the car ahead.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After cutting through many roads and streets, Xin Yi gets out of the car at a quite modern-looking house. Cun Xi is just about to get out after her, when he suddenly sees another man walking towards her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It’s……Dylan? He furrows his brow, watching Xin Yi and Dylan talking and laughing, walking shoulder-to-shoulder into the house, his heart progressively sinking.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So they are living together. He slowly ponders this. Two years ago Xin Yi left, not returning to Jiang Mu Island, her parents also not willing to inform him of her outcome. Turns out she had come to Shanghai with Dylan, Dylan opening an art gallery, and she studying the art of pottery under Master Zhong San.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Should he give her his blessing? She finally fulfilled her dream of becoming a pottery artist, and also found a good man……</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi aiya, jealousy bubbling up in his chest, all of it surging up without stopping. He loiters in front of the house for a very long time, before having the taxi driver bring him back to the art gallery, and in one breath buys all of Xin Yi’s pieces of work. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He can’t have her, then let him have all of her pieces of work!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">At night, he takes a plane to leave Shanghai, expressionlessly commanding Anson that the incident of seeing Xin Yi is not allowed to be mentioned to anyone.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">* * * * *</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“You’re saying someone bought all of my pieces?” Xin Yi received the worker’s telephone call, but was not daring to believe it. “Who was it?” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“I don’t know, he was very mysterious, didn’t leave down his last name; he just said he wanted all of your work to be reserved and mailed to him in the future.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Mail to where? Did he leave down an address?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“It’s a Taiwanese address, but it’s not his personal one, it’s his management’s address.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Oh, so it’s like that…thank you.” Xin Yi hangs up dejectedly.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“What is it?” Dylan curiously asks from the side.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi relays the conversation to him, and Dylan grins widely. “Isn’t that good? You got your first customer, looks like he really appreciates your work, will probably become your loyal fan.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“My fan?” Xin Yi blushes in excitement. The newly debuted her, also has fans?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“So from now on, you need to keep working hard to create pieces, cannot fail to meet the expectations people have for you.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“I definitely will!” Her eyes glow brightly. No matter who that person is, she will still thank him deeply, and definitely will not let him down.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Anyway, it is the first fan that she has!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">* * * * *</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Unable to be her man, he can only be her fan, only hoping that from now on her path will go very smoothly, her career thriving.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He knows that the her who always lacks self-confidence really needs tangible encouragement, and being able to quietly support her like this, he should feel satisfied, shouldn’t think too much……</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Cun Xi, what are you thinking about?” Anna’s voice brings him out of his thoughts. “Why does it seem like your heart is uneasy?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“It’s nothing, just thinking about company things.” Cun Xi takes a sip of his coffee. “Oh right, you asked me to come out to eat today, is anything up?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“What, if there’s nothing I can’t look for you?” Anna pouted. “We are boyfriend and girlfriend, does going on a date need to have a reason?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi doesn’t say anything.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Anna watches his expression, suddenly feeling very uneasy, recently she feels that he is drifting away farther and farther. Even though he is still very gentle towards her, a lot of intimacy is missing; between two people, there is a peculiar, ambiguous distance separating them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">To draw back his heart, once she recovered, choosing to stay in Taiwan to open a dancing school, she emotionally prepared herself for marriage, and gave up her choice to keep a good figure, willing to bear children for him, but in fact it is he who is not hurried at all.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He said these two years Mo Fa Ling Enterprise is expanding very fast, and as the director he must put all his strength into it. But is it really because of work? Or does he have other worries……</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Anna doesn’t dare to think too much. “Cun Xi, my birthday is almost here, could you give me a birthday present?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“You say it.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“I’m thinking, can you accompany me on a vacation for a few days? Just three, four days would be good.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Three, four days?” Cun Xi raised his eyebrows.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Let’s go to Shanghai, okay? Shanghai’s theatre is currently holding ‘Swan Lake’ performances, and it’s by the Ji Luo Fu [note: I’m not sure how to translate the name] Ballet Company too!” Anna smiles sweetly, pulling out a woman’s ultimate, sure-to-win weapon and acting coy. “Say yes, come with me to see it.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi stares at her. “You’re saying we go to……Shanghai?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Yeah.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">* * * * * </span><br /><b style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Shanghai, The Bund.</b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In the slight evening fog, the lights are turned on, casting light onto the colonial-era Western architecture and making it look even more elegant. The waves of light reflecting off the Huangpu River is from the modern Oriental Pearl Tower on the opposite shore.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The two shores of the river, one new one old, telling of Shanghai’s legendary history. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi and Anna stroll along from the watchtower, at times stopping at the railing, admiring the river scenery. Hawkers try to persuade Anna to buy their candy, and Anna shakes her hand to refuse.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Cun Xi, you say it, isn’t it beautiful?” She clings tightly to his side.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Yeah, it’s not bad.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Help me take a picture?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Okay.” Cun Xi takes out a camera, putting into focus the Anna standing under the streetlight.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He doesn’t notice that when he was taking the picture, Xin Yi and Dylan just happened to walk by behind him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“How is it? Coming out and talking a walk, does it make you feel a bit more relaxed?” Dylan gently asks Xin Yi. Recently she agreed to offer one of her own works up for an auction, and to create a piece of work that satisfies her, she has been using all her strength and effort. He can’t stand her suffering so much, so he took her out for a little stroll.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Don’t worry, I’m a lot better.” Xin Yi smiles. “I mean it, I need to thank you, Dylan. These two years you’ve kept supporting me, caring for me; if it wasn’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get to today. You really are my best friend!”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Only a friend?” Dylan asks, seeming to be serious.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She stares blankly.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Nevermind, it’s nothing.” Seeing her innocent expression, Dylan takes the initiative to change the topic. “The auction is in a few days, which piece of work have you decided on taking out?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“I haven’t decided yet, I still don’t feel completely satisfied.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Still not satisfied? Master Zhong San already said that your work has improved a lot, has a very unique style. You already won’t lose to any famous artist.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“‘Good’ still needs to be even better ––– !” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">* * * * *</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Originally Anna came to Shanghai mainly because she wanted to see the “Swan Lake” performance, but who would’ve thought that perhaps having walked too long along The Bund, she would wake up the next morning not feeling very well, head feeling heavy and appearing to have a cold and fever. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi bought medicine for her to take, staying with her in the hotel room to rest. In the evening, she urges Cun Xi to go watch the performance.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“The tickets have already been bought, not seeing it will be a waste. And since I want to sleep anyways, you’ll be bored being here alone.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After she begs more, Cun Xi answers with a nod, and goes to the Shanghai theatre alone. By the time he enters, the lights are already dimmed. On the other side there is also a woman quietly feeling her way in, and the two sit down, separated by Anna’s empty seat.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The curtains lift, the show beginning, with the white swan gently and somberly dancing. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi watches the performance on the stage, and couldn’t help but think of he and Anna’s unexpected meeting when he went to watch her first performance, falling in love with her bold manner, and her courage to immediately pick herself up after falling. He thought he had found his real soulmate, but time after time she would fly far away from him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He knows he shouldn’t restrain her, her life belongs to dancing, meant to shine brightly, just that sometimes he would feel lonely…… and then, Xin Yi appeared.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She is an unattractive girl, really unattractive, he didn’t feel that he would fall in love with her, yet she somehow brings out his heart’s softest spot. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She is very simple and pure, used by her ex-boyfriend; very foolish, willing to believe that every person has a good side; very clumsy, unable to do anything well; but very gentle, always at the right time comforting him when he is hurt.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">If Anna is like the sun’s blinding light in the eye, at times hurting people, then she is like the moon, very quiet, not reminding others of her own existence. Only people willing to use their hearts will be able to find her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He found her, yet hurt her, and then lost her……</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi suddenly feels very uncomfortable, hearing quiet sobs coming from the next seat, causing his heart to feel even more painful. He takes out his handkerchief, hoping that the woman would stop crying, stop causing him to also want to cry ––––</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">* * * * * </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi gives a silent thanks, using the handkerchief to wipe away tears, feeling very uncomfortable and very embarrassed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Looks like she has affected other people’s dance watching mood, but it’s just that she really is sad, from the depths of her heart.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Seeing the black swan onstage dancing so angrily and wildly, watching her agitated continuous spinning, Xin Yi suddenly thought that, the Anna onstage is probably also that eye-catching and outstanding.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No wonder Cun Xi would fall in love with her so devotedly……</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The curtains lift and the lights come up, the entire audience standing to applaud and Xin Yi also stands to clap loudly. She turns around, wanting to thank the person who lent her the handkerchief, and is surprisingly unable to speak.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi also recognizes her, and the two stare at each other. Behind their eyes are complex emotions: torment, sadness, longing, heartache; hundreds of tastes mixed in the chest. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Xin Yi…” What does Cun Xi want to say?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi suddenly darts away, turning around and running. Cun Xi hurriedly chases after her, the two pushing through the crowds leaving the theatre, in a game of hide-and-seek tag. Suddenly, Xin Yi hits someone, nearly falling, and Cun Xi catches her from behind.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He holds her in his arms, staring deeply at her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She shudders, unable to breathe, looking at his handsome face just as it was like before – he still is a prince, always a prince!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She suddenly hated herself, angry at her cowardice, wanting to run away upon seeing him. Hasn’t she already changed? Not that silly sticky-note girl anymore!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Hi.” She pushes him off, then greeting him with a smile. “It’s been a while, how are you?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“I…” In fact, it is Cun Xi who is still in a daze. “Very good.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Then what about Grandma? Is her health well?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Mm.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“I heard Anna is staying in Taiwan to open a dancing school. I really congratulate you, you two must be getting married really soon, right?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Getting married?” Cun Xi is shocked.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“When it’s time don’t forget to send me an invitation, I will give you two a very wonderful wedding gift.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“You…” Cun Xi stares at her. How can she so calmly talk about he and Anna getting married? She doesn’t care about him anymore? Towards him, she doesn’t even have a little bit of love lingering? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">How miserable, how painful!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Tasting the bitterness, with nothing to say, Cun Xi watches as Xin Yi leaves. Her retreating figure is very squared, very straight, with a confidence and strength that he had never seen before.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She seems to have……changed, not the Chen Xin Yi he knows anymore……</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He returned to the hotel in a daze, the whole night in a stupor. The next day Anna asked him how the show was, and he was completely unable to answer anything correctly.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">* * * * *</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi also agitatedly spent the night without sleeping.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She returned to the office, vigorously kneading the clay, then baking it into a product, with Master Zhong San saying that it is her most exciting piece of work to date.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Three days later, she gives the piece of work to the auctioneer, who is very happy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Thank you, Miss Chen, this piece of work is very special, I believe it will definitely be able to get a high price.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“This piece of work really is very good.” Even Dylan loves it so much that he can’t let go. “I think I should just buy it.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“You? Don’t kid around!” Xin Yi shakes her head.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“You think I’m joking? I’m serious!” Dylan is very solemn. “Such a precious piece of artwork, if I was to miss it now, how can I achieve fame in the world of art?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi sees his determination, on one side feeling very happy that her piece received the famous art broker’s approval; on the other side she couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. She is unwilling to sell away the piece that is so full of her feelings, having an urge to just buy it back herself.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She hides in a corner, wanting to see who would bid on her work. She didn’t think she would see Cun Xi and Anna enter the room together.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">They’re here too?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She freezes in shock. Dylan, noticing her change of expression, softly pats her hand, comforting her. “They are probably here to bid on Master Zhong San’s pieces.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“I know.” Xin Yi agrees, she definitely wouldn’t think that Cun Xi was here to bid on her work. Just that after suddenly meeting him again that night at the theatre, and seeing him again today, her emotions are fluctuating, and she is unable to keep her calm.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She watches he and Anna whispering in each other’s ears, Anna smiling slightly.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">What are they saying? She cannot help but wonder, yet also hating herself for this sort of thinking.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Ji Cun Xi…already has nothing to do with her, right?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">* * * * *</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After smoothly auctioning off Zhong San Long’s most recent pieces of work, Cun Xi originally planned on leaving immediately, almost time to rush to the airport.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">But the workers pushed out the next piece of work, suddenly causing his heart to shake, eyes glued, unable to remove.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It is a round pot, like a vase, and also like a bowl. At the side, there is a butterfly looking so real and lively that it seems as if it will fly away any moment. The paint is clear like water, gentle like the moon.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It’s her piece of work!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi recognized that it is Xin Yi’s creation with one glance, her method of glaze is extremely special, with a very unique style, he could tell. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“This piece of work is called ‘Metamorphosis’.” The host introduces it with a smile. “It’s Miss Chen Xin Yi’s newest creation.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Metamorphosis? Is she talking about that butterfly? Or is she symbolizing me? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He has to buy it!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi set his mind, not caring how Anna hurries him to go catch the plane, sits down, and raises his sign to bid.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">But he isn’t the only one wanting to bid on that auction item, several people bidding at the same time with him. When the bidding price becomes higher and higher, people gradually drop out, until there is only one other person persistently competing with him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He turns back to look, and suddenly realizes that his competitor is Dylan.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The two men exchange a glance, both seeing in the other’s eyes a fierce will to fight.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi turns back around, continuing to bid. No matter what kind of price Dylan puts out, he would not step back, and in a little while, the bidding price goes over ten million.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Surprised murmurs fill the entire room, some people gasping. Even though the piece is pretty good, it isn’t some really amazing piece, right? Is there really a need to bid so high?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Eleven million!” Dylan shouts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Twelve million!” Cun Xi shouts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Fifteen million.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“Twenty million!” Cun Xi’s words came out, and the whole room was in shock.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Dylan wrinkles his eyebrows, wondering whether or not to continue bidding. Xin Yi isn’t able to endure it anymore, running out to stop it. “Enough! Neither of you bid anymore!”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She turns to Cun Xi, pupils lit with a blazing fire. “Forget it already, my work will definitely not be sold to you!”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She coldly shouts, and Cun Xi’s face changes its colour. The two converse with their stares, an extraordinary electric current seeming to form in the air.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Anna feels uncomfortable and hurriedly clutches onto Cun Xi’s arm tightly, dragging him away from the scene.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">* * * * *</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A few days later, Zhen Zhu caught the news from friends that in Shanghai, Cun Xi bid against Dylan for Xin Yi’s piece of work, immediately finds Anson, ordering him to find out Xin Yi’s outcome. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Anson struggled for half a day, in the end confessing that Cun Xi had actually known Xin Yi was in Shanghai earlier, and had been continuing to purchase her pieces of work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“So Cun Xi was always quietly supporting Xin Yi?” Zhen Zhu is very excited, eyes looking up right and left in thought, a plan brewing in her head. “Anson, do me a favour, go to all the large newspapers and post a big front page announcement.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">“What announcement?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Zhen Zhu smiles, but says nothing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Two days later, in all of Shanghai’s main newspapers appeared a very large announcement at the same time, written ––––</span></span> <br /> </div></div></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-55908479361503103492008-06-04T22:02:00.003+08:002008-06-06T00:38:12.326+08:00Chapter 7 - A New Beginning<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Translated by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Blur sotong</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Edited by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Beauty_Karova</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"It was Dylan's intention to help Xin Yi, by bringing her to Shanghai to give her a fresh start. She, on the other hand, did not let him down and became the disciple of a renounced artistic potter, Zhong Shan Long. In the beginning, by offering her encouragements and companionship he intended a simple and innocent friendship. However, as time went by, he discovered that he wanted something more than just friendship, he wanted to use his whole life to protect her."</span></i></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Teacher, please, do not call me.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A companion to share the class duty workload with me.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Someone to remember my birthday.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">During hide and seek, please remember to locate me before heading home, do not forget about me…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's raining.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi lifts her head and looks at the strings and strings of falling rain; she is lost in her thought and her feeling of helplessness.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's raining, it's a bit cold, how nice it would be to be inside a house, drinking a cup of hot tea, eating the not-so-delicious sandwiches prepared by a certain someone, it would also be as a blessing!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">However, she is alone walking on a quiet alley, everything is completely bleared, and even her own future and life is unknown to her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Happiness is beyond her grasp, falling in love is just a dream for her .</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To meet someone who loves me and to love him back.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When would such a wish be fulfilled? Or, maybe she can only be chasing after her prince charming in her dreams, a prince charming that would never stop for her or take a liking of her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have chosen Anna, she is my one and only true love.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It would always be Anna, is there anything to be surprised of? She should have known it in the beginning, shouldn't she? Anna is his princess, and to him, Xin Yi is only trouble that he does not have the choice but to accept and bear full responsibility.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She should be grateful that he does not hate and she should not ask too much from him.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">However, she only wishes that the life she had with him would last a little longer, just for few months since she is carrying his child. Wouldn't it be possible?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Does it mean that I'm not worthy to be loved? She is asking herself, God, the rain and even the approaching cold and lonely night.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Is it really impossible? All she wishes is for someone to care about her, to love her, to find her and not to abandon her. Her only wish is that when she has given out her whole heart to the person, in return, she would also be loved.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Is this wish too demanding?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She uses her arms to wrap around her lower limbs and sits at the corridor. The night gets deeper and colder but nothing can compare to her feeling of being abandoned, helpless and hopeless.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Cun Xi, what are you doing now? Are you dancing happily with Anna now…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">---------------------------------------------</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He is searching and looking for her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After sending Anna home, Cun Xi drives the car through main roads and small alleys and as the night gets deeper, his search gets more intense.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Silly Xin Yi, where are you hiding?" He mumbles to himself. He is is worried and angry that she has left without a word; her hand-phone is not switched-on and she hasn't contacted him. "Don't you know that granny is very worried?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In fact, he is also very worried; he simply refuses to admit it. He keeps telling himself that he is searching for her intensively because he does not want his granny to be worried.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He is not one of those caring guys that she has mentioned, and to someone who is unrelated to him, he can be very cold and cruel to. He is scarcely nice to her and she is so grateful to him, treating him like a philanthropist, isn't it funny!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How could Jiang Mu Island produce a whole lot of innocent idiots? He mumbles to himself, and then focuses his thought on himself driving his car aimlessly; searching for her is also very stupid and silly.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Damn!" He exclaims, crunches his fist then hits the handle to change direction forcefully, releasing all his frustration.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Unexpectedly, another car comes gushing in the opposite direction out from nowhere. Trepidation is flooding over him, it is a close shave, and he almost could not brake in time.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The other driver stops his car, gets down and gives him a dressing-down. He impatiently twitches his brows and fails to notice that Xin Yi has passed by him silently.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He conveniently throws his name card to the party. "If there is anything wrong with your car, give me a call!" After giving some instruction, he drives off.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tonight, both Xin Yi and he have missed each other at a couple of occasions but neither knows about it. It is almost dawn and the rain has stopped before he spots her at a garden near their estate.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She is squatting down beside the patch of sand near a puddle of wet mud, digging up the wet mud, making mud dolls - a male and a female, a pair of loving husband and wife.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She still requires an adorable baby. She thinks and digs more wet mud. Without the baby, they would never have become husband and wife…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I have finally found you." Cun Xi's voice is ringing behind her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She turns around and is completely taken by surprise; she can't believe her eyes.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He has found her! She thinks that nobody would have bothered to look for her…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He drags her up and rebukes her. "What do you thinking you are doing? How could you leave without a word and turn off your hand-phone? Don't you know that I… granny would be worried about you?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Is it him? Is it really him? He has really come to look for her?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Cun Xi." She mumbles. Then, raising her trembling hands she touches his shoulder, making sure he is not an illusion.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"You are so cold! You got drenched in the rain?" Cun Xi is clutching her freezing hands tightly. "How could you be so careless with your health? Have you forgotten that you are pregnant?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She is still dazzled and offers a docile and gentle apology. "Sorry." She should have taken good care of herself since she is pregnant.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Don't apologize to me!" He reprimands her, but as he's about to scold her further, he sees her teary eyes and he can not bring himself to do so. Instead, he takes in a deep breath. "You should wait for me here; I will go over to the mini-mart across to get you some hot drink."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Okay." She nods her head obediently, followed him to the garden entrance and waiting for him by the roadside.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He should not have let go of her hand and left her alone waiting by the roadside. The tragedy could have been avoided.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But he does not expect it to happen, so he lets go of her hand and leaves her there alone, and when he comes out of the mini-mart, he is dumbfounded and helpless as he watches a car speed by and accidentally knock the emotionally disturbed Xin Yi down.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Xin Yi," he shouts for her madly, witnesses her body flow into the air and land on the ground and fresh blood gushing out from her profusely.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">---------------------------</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The aftermath is like a dream.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The ambulance takes Xin Yi to the hospital and Cun Xi is pacing outside the operation theatre. The surgeon has informed him that Xin Yi had a miscarriage and that she is in a very critical and serious condition. He could not save their baby, but he sincerely hopes that Xin Yi will survive the ordeal. Couple of hours pass by, the operation ends and Xin Yi is wheeled into ICU for observation.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He keeps watching over Xin Yi for a day and a night and finally she regains her consciousness. She is emotionless when she discovers that she has a miscarriage and does not speak a word.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He sees her being dumbfounded, and comprehending that she must be very upset with her loss he tries to console her. "Don't be sad, the baby is gone but it is okay. Only you are…"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What do you mean? Losing the baby is okay?" She cuts him off and glares at him with pain.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He pauses. "What I meant…"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What you mean is that the baby was so troublesome. If not for the baby, you would not have been forced to marry me and I would have no reason to keep pestering you. Am I right?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Xin Yi, it is not like …"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Don't say any more." She shuts him up, refusing him a chance to clarify himself. She has a heartache, it is so painful, as if a part of her is being amputated and blood comes gushing out profusely. She has lost their baby and he has told her that it is alright. He does not care about the baby at all and all along it was only her that was concerned about their baby. "Don't say anything, get out, get out of the room!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Xin Yi…"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I beg you, leave. Don't bother me, leave me alone!" Tears are rolling down her cheeks.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He looks at her, lost as to what he should do and reluctantly leaves the ward. He dares not leave the hospital and keeps watch outside her ward, worrying that something bad might happen to her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anna, who hears that Cun Xi does not go into the office to work or home to rest and keeps watching over Xin Yi at the hospital, rushes to look for him there. She sees his remorseful look and it makes her heart ache.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She persuades him to go home and takes a rest but he refuses and insists that he will stay at the hospital to watch over Xin Yi.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He has changed! The present him no longer sets her in the first place. In his heart, there is another woman.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anna is worried and angry. "How can you just think about her? Have you ever thought about me? Do you know how painful it is to see you in this state? In the past, you never let me worry about you. Tell me truthfully, have you fallen for Xin Yi?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xin is caught by surprise. "I have not." He denies straight away.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Tell me then, what is she to you?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"She…" Cun Xi pauses for a long time before answering. "She is like a post-it."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Post-it?" Anna can not comprehend.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When you need it, she is always around, you are not aware of her presence. However, when you loose her one day, you begin to understand her importance, you begin to value her…"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi sighs and is about to explain when Anna catch sight of the ajar ward-door and takes the opportunity. She cuts Cun Xi off and, smiling sweetly at him she places her hands on his shoulder. "I understand what you mean; Chen Xin Yi is like the Post-it kit, nothing important, right? Hmmm…you should have told me earlier, and I could not have misunderstood you. Then, you must be very hungry? At least, accompany me for a dinner? Ok?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He can not refuse her and allows her to pull him towards the elevator. It has escaped his notice that Xin Yi is hiding silently behind the door. She has witnessed the whole event and tears are rolling down her cheeks.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The next day, after Cun Xin rushes to all his meeting and official documents in the office, he makes his way to the hospital. But Xin Yi has disappeared without a trace, leaving behind the divorce paper and the wedding band.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi picks up the wedding band. He is stunned and for a moment he can almost hear Xin Yi whispering softly in his ear –</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I give you my blessing!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">------------------------------------------</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Not wanting to worry her parents, Xin Yi decides not to make her way back to Jiang Mu Island. At the moment she can not make up her mind where she should be heading and towing her luggage, she makes her way to Pope Saint John’s Church.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She is standing at the entrance cracking her head to think of a way to convince the priest to allow her to sleep in the church for a short period of time in order to sort out her life and her future.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Xin Yi, what are you doing here?" Dylan asks her. "You came to visit the children? Or…" He stops after seeing her luggage, raising his eyebrows. "What happened?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She replies sadly, "I left the Ji household."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Why did you leave?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"There is no more valid reason for me to stay at Ji household any longer." Xin Yi explains and mentions simply about Anna's return and her miscarriage from the beginning till the end to Dylan.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He is startled. "I never knew that there was an Anna."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"She was always there." Xin Yin answers painfully. "Cun Xin and I had an agreement from the beginning, stating that once the baby is delivered, we would divorce each other."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dylan is stunned, and it takes him awhile to ask. "What's up now? What are your plans?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I do not know yet." She shakes her head. "Maybe I will head down south and find a job there…"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Do you want to go to Shanghai?" He cuts her off suddenly.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She is dumbfounded.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I am planning to setup an art gallery in Shanghai, in another couple of days; I will be making a trip over there. Are you interested to come along with me?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I? Go with you to Shanghai?" She is astonished. Shanghai sounds like another city far away.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Famous Pottery Artist Zhong Shan is also there, I sent to him a photograph of your pottery work the last time and he appreciates your work. Maybe you could become his pottery apprentice."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She? Become Pottery Artist Zhong Shan's apprentice? "How could it be?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Why not? You have not even tried, how can you be sure that he will not accept you as his apprentice?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"But…" She is still unsure.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"This is a good opportunity for you to start a new life. Don't you want a transformation?" Dylan persuades her convincingly. "Xin Yi, don't you want to give yourself another opportunity to see what you can achieve?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Does she have a chance? She is shaken. The ordinary her, will there be an opportunity for transformation?</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">------------------------------------------------------------</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Cun Xi!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A voice is calling him from the other pole of the globe but Cun Xi hardly moves at all, he is in deep thought.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Cun Xi!" The person calls him again.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He finally regains his composure, shuts down his hand-phone and slowly turns around.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Anna, you are here."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anna raises her brows and walks towards him to face him. Seeing his hand grasp his hand-phone tightly, she narrows her eyes. "You are so inattentive, what's wrong with you lately?" She asks gently. "Does Chen Xin Yi's departure have such a great impact on you?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi is startled. With great difficulty he tries to regain his emotionless composure. "I am alright, Anna, you don't have to worry."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anna does not believe him but she is smart enough not to pursue further. Instead, she turns her attention to a scarf lying on the top of a coffee table in a corner.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What is this?" She asks as she picks up the scarf and examines it; the workmanship is not skilful. She shakes her head. "Cun Xi, did you buy this?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Don't you recognize this scarf?" He is flabbergasted.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I don't." She is speechless.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi snatches the scarf from her and stares at her in bewilderment. "Didn't you give it to me as a gift?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"A gift from me?" She is mystified. "I did not."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi raises his brows. He is puzzled, if the scarf is not from Anna, why does the maid has told him that the scarf is from her and it was delivered by Federal Express? Needless to say…he is stunned for a moment, he quickly opens his drawer and takes out the little birthday card and the writing traces are exactly the same as the traces on the divorce agreement, it is from the same person.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Why did Xin Yi send the gift on behalf of Anna? Was she worried that Anna forgetting his birthday would make him upset? In order to console him, she has forgone her own intention.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She is silly! How can such a stupid person exist? He is shocked; he catches a condition on the divorce agreement at the brink of his eyes. He takes a closer look and discovers that she has removed the alimony part from the agreement.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is the agreement that he has insisted that she signs it on their wedding day, agreeing that they would part harmoniously once the baby is born, that he would give her a sum of money and provide her a monthly alimony, but she does not want anything from him.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She does not want his money, she does not request for his love, how could she…how could she be so stupid?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I have been too busy lately, and kept forgetting about your birthday present." Anna touches his shoulder gently and asks sweetly. "Darling, what do you desire?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While he is looking at Anna's lovely smile, his mind is reflecting the painful expression on Xin Yi's face when she has found out that she had a miscarriage – "I do not want anything." He longs for Xin Yi, he longs to find her…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Looking at his facial expression, Anna is disturbed, she questions him. "Cun Xi, you are regretting, right?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He is stunned. "What are you talking about?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"You are regretting choosing me that day, and not her?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I…" Cun Xi is dumbfounded; he should deny it, shouldn't he? But he is speechless.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">His silence is causing more pain to Anna. "Couldn't our many years relationship withhold the entire crisis? Compare to the couple of months you have spent with her? You said that you would marry me, didn't you?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi's chest tightens. "I did not forget."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Then don't think about her, okay?" She is holding his chin, a sweet expression on her face and adds with a sense of mischief. "From today onwards, you can only think of me, I am the woman you truly love."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She is actually the woman he truly loves, isn't it…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As Cun Xi glances at Anna helplessly, with a brink of an eyelid, she snatches his hand-phone away and starts keying a couple of buttons swiftly.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What are you doing?" He snatches back his hand-phone, takes a look and his expression changes. "You have deleted the photographs?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Don't be angry!" She shakes his shoulders gently and acts coquettishly. "Since you have already decided that you wanted to be with me, you should just forget about Chen Xin Yi, right? You do not need to keep any of her photographs."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi is silenced, an infuriated look on his face.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anna knows that he is enraged and annoyed. She takes a deep breath. "Cun Xi, I love you, I cannot live without you." She gazes at him pathetically. "Don't leave me, I have nothing except you."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What do you mean?" His expression is full of heaviness. "Aren't you going back to New York to continue dancing?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I cannot go back anymore." She whispers voicelessly. "I cannot dance anymore, I have injured my feet. Actually I came back for physiotherapy, and I am not even sure whether I will fully recover…"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"You should have told me earlier!" He panics. "Why wait till now to inform me?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Because of my pride!" She bellows and her eyes tears. "Cun Xi, I don't want you to think that I am asking for your sympathy and empathy, I only ask that…"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I understand, you do not need to explain anymore." How could he not empathize with her? Not being able to perform on stage...Anna must be so lost. He glances at her gently. "Don't worry, I am sure you will be able to dance again. I will be there for you."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Cun Xi" Anna is so touched that she rushes into his embrace.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He hugs her, gently pats her back but he is emotionless and expressionless.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He can not forsake Anna now, so he an only forgo Xin Yi, since he has already made his choice on his birthday. He can not regret it now.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">----------------------------------------------------</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">No anymore–</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">With Dylan's help, Xin Yi manages to rent a small apartment in Shanghai, and starts her life there. In the beginning, she is still grieving her loss, and suffers in pain. Dylan does not force her but makes an effort to visit her during his free time, accompanying her and bringing her around Shanghai.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After a period of time, Xin Yi begins to move away from her pain and suffering and starts to stand on her two feet again. Feeling embarrassed, she requests to help out at Dylan's art gallery on her free will. Dylan, besides allocating her some administrative jobs, also takes the opportunity to introduce her to the famous Pottery Artist Zhong Shan Long.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Zhong Shan Long intentionally and deliberately tests her. "When you look at this piece of artwork, what do you see?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I don't have any impression, it is not my work, if you teach me, I would be able to illustrate it to you." Xin Yi's unpretentious and unintentional answer surprises him. This, combined with Dylan's highly recommendation, convinces him to train her as his apprentice and disciple.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi can not believe that she has the chance to learn under such a renowned artist, thus she takes her lessons seriously.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">However, the artist has a very strict demand and after a couple of failures, Xin Yi is at the verge of running away.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She packs her luggage and secretly plans on returning back to Taiwan but Dylan comes just in time to stop her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Where are you heading?" He queries peremptorily.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi, ashamed and embarrassed looks down and refuses to answer.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Are you planning to run back to Taiwan? Didn't you mention that becoming a pottery artist was your ambition and inspiration? After a couple of failures, you are going to give up so easily?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I don't think I can make it." She whispers. She has never succeeded in doing anything correctly from young till now; she is always the cause of disappointment to all around her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"You have not really put in effort to try, how could you say that you can never make it?" Dylan reprimands her severely. "You are right, at present moment, you are nothing, just like this mass of clay. However, through the skilful hands of the potter, it can become a valuable and precious piece of pottery. Needless to say, the process is going to be bitter and painful, just like making a pottery. Every piece of valuable pottery, every successful person also went through this painful process of training – What do you think makes Anna a successful ballerina?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anna! The mention of this name, the woman that Cun Xi truly loves, causes Xin Yi to overcome her doubts.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"She is able to dance gracefully on stage, all due to the amount of hard work she had put in, she also went through a lot of suffering in order to achieve the standard on stage. Do you think that without the suffering and painful process, you could transform from a caterpillar into a graceful butterfly?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I…"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Are you going to lose to her? Beside losing your love to her, are you also going to prove that she is much better than you in term of character, determination?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi is dumb-stricken, she suddenly recalls what Cun Xi has mentioned to her before – Our life is a gamble, we will not win every game, however, if we still have the fund, there's always hope.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He mentioned that her future is in her hand, and she should not look down on herself anymore…</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I will not lose!" Xin Yi exclaims loudly, staring into Dylan's eyes, speaking with great determination. "I will give it a try, I will persevere, I want to prove that I am capable of doing it…it is not only like this."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She does not want to lose to the woman Cun Xi loves, she also wants to show him that she is not just a post-it girl, she can also be successful, and she is capable of craving out a successful path for herself.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After making her decision, Xin Yi goes straight into the studio and begins to work on the clay, skipping a good night of sleep. She finally succeeds in creating her own piece of pottery.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">However, she knows that she has only succeeded in overcoming her first obstacle. In the long run, there would be a lot of them along the way. She would need to have the strength and the perseverance to press on and overcome each obstacle.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One day, while she is at home concentrating on drawing out the sketches for her new pieces of pottery, Dylan comes to visit her with a box of pizza.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Don't tell me you have not taken your meal yet?" He asks jokingly. "I bought a pizza, have a bit with me!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Thank you." Xin Yi takes a break, and makes a pot of coffee for her guest and herself. They spend the time eating and chit-chatting with each other.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dylan tells her that he has decided to focus his career in Shanghai in future and stop being a global-trotter.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"You are going to settle down?" Xin Yin is surprised. "I remember you told me that you enjoy travelling around and did not like to stay in one place for a prolonged period."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dylan has lost his parents when he was young and grown up in an orphanage. By mere determination and perseverance he has succeeded in life, became a well-known art gallery owner, helped international art collector source for items and examined collections authenticities. Beside these, he also travelled to Amazon Forest for expedition. He's a man who lives his life to the fullest.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Who could have thought that such a man can decide to settle down in Shanghai?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Actually come to think of it, it is not a bad idea to settle." Dylan takes a meaningful glance at Xin Yi. "And I have discovered that there are many interesting things in Shanghai."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Is it?" Xin Yi fails to catch the hint, and asks. "Don't tell me, you have decided to settle down?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Why not? If there is someone who is willing to marry me!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"If you propose, any woman would gladly accept it."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Are you willing?"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Me?" Xin Yi is dumbfounded. "You must be joking!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What if I am serious?" Dylan asks randomly.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi shakes her head. "You must be kidding me." She concludes. "Anyway, I am not suitable for you, I have never thought about getting married."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Are you afraid?" Dylan asks wittingly.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi is distracted and quiet.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dylan observes her closely. "I heard that Anna has opened a dancing studio in Taiwan during my last trip back there."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Really? Anna is in Taiwan." She is silent and gives a weak smile. "Then, they are getting married soon, that's nice, Cun Xi must be very happy."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dylan raises his eyebrow. "Xin Yi…"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Don't worry." Xin Yi knows that Dylan is worried about her. She makes a gesture to tell him to stop worrying about her.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I am fine; I want to give him my blessing too. He has found his own happiness; I would also search for mine."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"That's right!" Dylan is glad that she can think this way. "Your happiness is in your own hands; don't expect anyone to give it to you freely."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In the past, she was too naïve to think that her prince charming could appear, she was been misled by those men and made a fool of herself. Xin Yi smiles bitterly and agrees, she is not going to be as silly as before. From this day onward, Xin Yi is no longer the unrespected "Post-it" girl.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Dylan, I have just created a new design, would you provide me with some comments?"</span></span><br /></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-5274137099593877562008-06-04T21:58:00.002+08:002008-06-06T00:37:10.361+08:00Chapter 6 - Forever the Swan<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Translated by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">meosles</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Edited by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Beauty_Karova</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >It’s at times like these that people easily slip into a state of dilemma.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><i>Anna has returned. Even though she has left Taiwan without a word and flew away from his side that time, Cun Xi is still infatuated with her; because she is like a swan on the stage that always shines brightly. And Xin Yi is the Cinderella who has to change back when the spell wears off.</i></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I didn’t do anything!” Cun Xi quickly straightens his body and throws his hand phone into his pocket. He doesn’t want to admit that he secretly wants to kiss her —Why does he do that? Even he doesn’t understand why he has such a nonsensical impulse.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I… am on the bed?” Xin Yi does not suspect him and sits up. She feels dazed and after a while, finally becomes fully awake. “Did you carry me here?” She can’t believe it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Her tone sounds as if he has just done a great deed! Cun Xi blushes and says roughly “Who ask you to sleep with such bad posture, you nearly fell to the ground. I was afraid that you will hurt the baby in your stomach.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“It’s because of the baby?” Xin Yi mutters. That’s right, why will he be concerned about her? She asks mockingly to herself.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Why did you suddenly wake up?” He changes the subject.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I… Umm, I feel a little hungry.” She awkwardly touches her slightly swollen belly.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Hungry?” He finds to his surprise that it’s already past one in the night.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I don’t know, I feel like eating something.” She smiles helplessly. “Maybe it’s because the baby did not have enough food tonight.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He looks at her. “What do you want to eat? I’ll buy it for you.” He hears that pregnant women have strange food cravings. No matter what it is, he will get it for her. Consider it… as an apology to her.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She thinks for a while. “I want to eat egg, and ham too.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Egg and ham?” Cun Xi is disappointed. Why is her food craving so normal? The kitchen already has egg and ham, he doesn’t need to go out and search for it at all.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Hmm. I want to sandwich it with toast and add mayonnaise too.” As she thinks about it, Xin Yi stomach starts to growl. She quickly gets down from the bed. “I’ll go to the kitchen!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Cun Xi finds himself following her there. When the two of them reaches the pitch dark kitchen, Xin Yi switches on the light and takes out the ham and egg from the fridge. Then she takes out a piece of bread from the cupboard.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She turns on the stove and pours some oil on the pan. As she is about to crack the egg, Cun Xi says suddenly. “I’ll do it!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Huh?” She is surprised. Her husband comes over and snatches away the handle of the pan. “You can fry eggs?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Don’t look down on me.” He says. It’s only an egg, what’s the big deal?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“But you have never cooked before, why…”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Shut up!” He interrupts her. “Anyway I’ll cook your supper for you.” Who ask her not to crave strange food and hunger for this kind of stuff? So he has to cook it himself to express his apology.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >It’s said that “gentlemen are far away from the kitchen” and this saying has some truths. A big man like him who is used to the battle on the business field has zero knowledge of the kitchen works. A simple matter like frying egg and ham can cause chaos and mess.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >And the worst is, he refuses to admit defeat and insists on completing his mission.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi stares at the disaster that Cun Xi has created. When he finally completes the sandwich after much effort, he is covered in sweat and his apron is greasy, he makes quite a sight.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“All right, eat it quickly!” He acts cool and orders her, trying to pretend that it’s only a simple task for him.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She takes the sandwich and looks hesitantly at the burned egg and even more burned ham in it—Will she gets poisoned if she eats it?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Quickly eat it!” He urges her.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She takes a deep breath and finally summons the courage to take a bite. After swallowing with some difficulty, she sees his look of anticipation and forces herself to smile brightly. “It’s delicious!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Really?” His eyes brighten.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Really!” She takes another bite. “I can’t believe that you have such good results even though it’s your first time cooking. You’re great!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Of course it's a small case.” He says proudly.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She slowly eats it bite by bite. Seeing that she has such a good appetite, he volunteers to make another share. She can’t stop him and has to watch helplessly as he again busies himself and offer up another sandwich.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I can’t eat anymore.” She protests mildly.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Can’t eat? Then I’ll eat it myself, don’t waste the food.” Saying this, he takes a huge bite.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She can’t stop him in time and can only watch as he spits out the sandwich. He turns green. “It tastes horrible!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Not really, I think it’s not bad.” She refutes him weakly.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“It tastes horrible!” He says angrily and looks sternly at her “Why didn’t you tell me straightaway? Why force yourself to eat it?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Because… it’s really delicious.” She smiles sweetly. Whatever food he makes personally for her, she will savor the sweetness of the gesture even if the taste is horrible.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He stares at her. Seeing her sweet smile, he knows that she is sincere and feels touched, but continues to rebuke her. “You are really an idiot! Does your Jiang Mu Island specialize in producing idiots?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Her smile fades. “Do you dislike them?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Dislike? Cun Xi is confused. No, he doesn’t dislike them, not at all. “I only feel that... it’s so funny! You are really a group of misfits. Your father, mother, and your brother-in-law… Goodness! Which planet does that Wu Qi Qi comes from? He laid so many traps at the factory but in the end he himself was caught by them!” He shakes his head. Remembering the pathetic state of Wu Qi Qi that day, he can’t help laughing.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He laughs heartily and merrily and the laughter lights up his face.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi is amazed. This is the first time that she sees him laughing so happily. She never realizes that he can laugh like this, like a mischievous boy.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >After a while, Cun Xi’s laughter dies down. He has the impression that he's laughing too loudly and feels a little awkward. “You… are really a bunch of weird people.” He concludes. His look at Xin Yi is deep and complex, seeming to hold an unknown feeling in it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Her heart starts beating furiously under that look and she bows her head.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Xin Yi.” He suddenly calls her hoarsely.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Hmm?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Sorry.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She is startled and raises her head. “What?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He coughs embarrassedly and turns away his head. “I shouldn’t have misunderstood you, I… I am sorry.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He is apologizing to her; the prince says he is sorry; the proud man is actually giving in to her! Xin Yi is agitated. Her chest feels like it has melted a tub of honey, full of sweetness.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“You will accept it right?” His tone does not allow her to refuse.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Hmm.” Xin Yin smiles gently. Of course she will accept. In truth, she feels like she is lying on a cloud of happiness; a cloud that is like cotton candy, very soft and very comfortable.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“What’s the matter with you?” Cun Xi blinks his eyes. Her smile is too sweet and beautiful, it’s dazzling.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I…” She is about to answer but a short messaging tone rings suddenly.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Cun Xi takes out the hand phone from his pocket and sees that the message is from Anna. His expression turns serious. He presses the keypad and reads the contents—</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Darling, I will be returning to Taiwan!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Her happiness comes quickly and leaves just as hastily.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Even since he had received the message from Anna, Cun Xi has become distracted. Their relationship which has started to warm up has become frozen again.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi understands his difficulties and doesn’t blame him. On the contrary it is Zhen Chu who can’t stand his behavior and warns her grandson about his responsibilities towards his marriage.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I understand, you don’t have to remind me.” Cun Xi nearly goes crazy under his granny’s repeated warnings.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi sees that the situation is tense and pulls her husband back to their room. “Don’t quarrel with granny. She doesn’t know about our divorce agreement, so she’s forcing you like this. Don’t worry. I believe that as long as you explain the entire situation to Anna, she will forgive you.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Will she? Cun Xi is not confident. Even if Anna knows that this marriage is only a delay strategy, she may not forgive him for sleeping with another woman by mistake.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Don’t worry. I will help you to explain to her.” Xin Yi guarantees.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Cun Xi calms down and considers the current situation in his mind. “I think that she only comes back to help me celebrate my birthday. She won’t stay for long. We just need to keep it from her for a few days.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Are you saying that we should put on an act in front of her?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“No need to act.” He shakes his head and looks at her. “You only need to hide for a while. Don’t show yourself.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He wants her to hide? Xin Yi is speechless and her throat feels dry. She doesn’t know what feeling is this. It is reasonable, isn’t it? Obviously he doesn’t want Anna to discover her existence since it will only causes conflicts in their relationship. But why does she suddenly feel abandoned? Like when she was young and played hide and seek with her classmates. In the end nobody remembered to look for her.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >When she leaves, will he remember to look for her?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Then I will return… to Jiang Mu Island. I will tell granny that I am returning to my mother’s home for a few days.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Hmm.” He agrees.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She immediately packs her luggage. But when Zhen Zhu finds out, she is furious and refuses to let her leave. “You are the young mistress of this house! Why should you hide from Anna? I won’t allow it!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“But granny…”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Cun Xi wants you to hide, doesn’t he? Then I’ll introduce you to everybody! On Cun Xi’s birthday, I will hold a grand birthday party and let all the friends of the Ji family knows you!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >When Cun Xi discovers his granny’s decision, he hardens his heart. “All right, since granny insists. I also have my say. I will bring Anna to the party and tell everybody that she is my real other-half!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The two of them starts to pit against each other. Xin Yi is caught in the middle and finds herself in a difficult position.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Zhen Zhu doesn’t consider her difficulties. She orders the housekeeper to send out the invitations and prepare for the party. She even invites a stylist to custom make a beautiful evening gown for her, including a set of expensive jewelries.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Just as the tensed atmosphere in the family is about to explode, Cun Xi receives a call from Anna, saying that she has something on at the last minute and will delay her return for a few days.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Cun Xi is stunned. “You mean that you won’t be able to make it back by Friday?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Wait till I finish handling some matters first. I should be back in Taiwan on Saturday.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Saturday? That’s already the day after his birthday! Cun Xi is disappointed. “Do you remember what day is Friday?” He asks.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“What day?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She has forgotten. Cun Xi’s heart sinks, so Anna is not returning for his birthday after all. “I understand, we’ll meet on Saturday then.” He hangs up the phone despondently and stands by the study’s window lost in thought.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi is standing on the other side of the door and hears his conversation with Anna. Seeing him so downcast, she can roughly guess that Anna has forgotten his birthday and will not be returning on that day.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She glances at him in pain. His back looks so tall and lonely. He must be feeling upset now? She knows what it feels like to be forgotten and feels his pain.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She leaves silently and goes to the baby room. Then she takes out the gift that she has hidden and looks at it for a long while. Suddenly she takes out a little card from it and writes another card to replace it—</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >So Anna did not forget his birthday!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >On his birthday, Cun Xi receives a gift by express delivery. He is very happy and hurriedly opens the box. A deep blue scarf is lying neatly in it. It looks like it is hand-woven because some parts are not knitted smoothly.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >When did Anna learn to knit? Cun Xi is surprised and holds the scarf to his chest. He suddenly feels warm—he never expects her to knit a scarf for him.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He takes out the little card. It has only a few simple words written on it, “Happy Birthday”.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >It’s enough to know that Anna cares and to know that he's is not forgotten. It’s enough.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Cun Xi smiles happily and his dark mood evaporates. He doesn’t even mind when granny insists on holding his birthday party. If Anna is not around, he will accompany Xin Yi and have fun!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“You look very happy!” Xin Yi pokes her head inside the room.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Hmm” He smiles and turns around. He sees Xin Yi hiding behind the door and hesitating to come in. “What’s the matter? Why are you standing there? Come in!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >When Xin Yi hears him, she blushes. “Please don’t… laugh at me.” She walks awkwardly into the room.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Cun Xi’s eyes brighten. Her long hair is piled up and held back with a crystal hairclip. She is wearing a pearl white gown which shows her beautiful neck and part of her fair-skinned back. A matching set of earrings, necklace and bracelets goes with her gown.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >His heart gives a tug and he can’t help praising. “You are beautiful!” She is even more beautiful than when she was on the cruise that day. Maybe because her body is giving off an aura of “pregnancy”, she looks even more feminine.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Really?” Xin Yi holds her breath and can’t believe him.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Really!” He stresses. “You look really beautiful today.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi’s face turns red and she looks shyly away. She never thought that “beautiful” can be used to describe her. She looks at the scarf lying on the study table and her eyes starts shining in joy.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Cun Xi notices her look. “Does it look nice? It’s from Anna.” He proudly announces.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She looks away. “Do you like it?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Of course I like it!” He smiles. “It’s hand-knitted by her. I never realized that she was so thoughtful and learned how to knit especially for this.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He looks… touched.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi looks at Cun Xi silently. She really wants to tell him that this scarf is actually knitted by her. Her fingers even have a few wounds where she accidentally pricked herself.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >But she doesn’t want to spoil his happiness. It’s all right, let him be happy. As long as he is happy, she is happy too.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She smiles slightly. “Cun Xi, granny said that tonight we should dance the opening dance.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Of course we must.” He does not hesitate to nod.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“You really want to dance with me?” She is delighted. “But I can’t dance very well and I am carrying a baby…”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Don’t worry, I’ll guide you.” He glance at her and her eyes carry an unspoken look of happiness. “We can dance slowly. Then it won’t affect the baby.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Saying this, he bends him arms and signals her to hold it. She obeys his orders and follows him down the stairs. Her heart is beating furiously.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Zhen Zhu and a group of guests are waiting in the hall that has been elaborately decorated. When they see the couple, they are full of admiration. It is as if they are looking at a fairy-tale couple.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Are they really so well-matched? Xin Yi wonders shyly. Does everybody think that they are a loving husband and wife? Today she is the princess and he is her beloved prince.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Zhen Zhu signals with her hand and the band starts playing a waltz. Cun Xi bows, his posture is handsome and elegant like a real prince.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi timidly reaches out for his hand and he grasp it. Then he leads her and starts dancing.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He really knows how to guide her in dancing. Softly and gently, he brings her to heaven and they dance among the stars.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I… feel a little faint.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Did I dance too fast?” He thoughtfully slows down his speed. “Is the baby protesting?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“The baby is all right.” It’s the mom who is too excited. “Cun Xi, do you know the story of Cinderella?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Of course I know.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“The fairy casts a spell and turn Cinderella into a princess. But after midnight she changes back.” She pauses and then sighs. “I feel that I am like Cinderella.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He frowns. He can hear the faint sorrow in her talk.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Thank you for being so good to me.” She says softly.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“What’s the matter?” He holds her waist firmly. “Why say things like this?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I don’t know, I just want to say it.” She has a strange foreboding. If she doesn’t say it now she may not have the chance to say it again. “When I first met you, I felt that you are very proud and not approachable. But it’s not like that, you are very gentle.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“This kind of descriptions does not fit me.” He says awkwardly and his expression is a little stiff.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“You are a good man. Maybe you don’t realize it yourself, but you… are really good.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“What exactly do you want to say?” He is so embarrassed that he sounds hoarse. He looks at her in frustration.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I want to say…” I love you. But she can’t say it, she can only smile slightly. “Cun Xi, do you remember finding my wish box in the storage room?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I remember.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Do you remember you said that I have a wish that is the same as yours?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Hmm.” Cun Xi nods his head and his eyes grow dim. To meet a person that I love and who loves me back.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I really hope that the wish will come true one day.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“You…” Cun Xi looks at Xin Yi uneasily. He can almost hear the words that she does not dare to say. But how should he reply? What should he do? He feels his heart beating and doesn’t know what to do. When he is about to speak, a figure suddenly appears in front of him. He gasps—“Anna?!”</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >In the study, Cun Xi and Anna face each other. Xin Yi stands uneasily at one side. Zhen Zhu narrows her eyes and waits to see how her grandson will handle the problem.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Cun Xi, how can you do this to me?” Anna is furious. “How can you marry another woman behind my back? If my friends didn’t tell me, how long did you plan to keep this from me?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I didn’t mean to deceive you. There is a reason…” Cun Xi tries to pacify her.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She doesn’t want to listen. “Betrayal is betrayal! What reason can there be? Ji Cun Xi, so you are this kind of heartless person!”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Cun Xi is vexed and doesn’t know how to explain himself.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Seeing his frustration, Xin Yi takes the initiative to explain. “It’s not like that. Miss Shi, you are mistaken. Cun Xi married me because of the baby.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Baby? You have a baby?” Anna stares at them and is about to continue scolding her heartless boyfriend when Xin Yi cuts in.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Miss Shi, listen to me. It’s like this…” She tells the whole story.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Anna is speechless. She can’t believe that there is such a strange story behind this. She looks at Xin Yi who is begging her for forgiveness, looks at granny who is disapproving, and finally turns to Cun Xi.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I don’t care what the reason behind your marriage is. Cun Xi, I can forgive you for going to bed with another woman by mistake but you must give me an answer. What do you intend to do now?”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Anna, can you give me more time? Wait until the baby is born…”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“What should I do in the meantime?” Anna looks at him sourly. “Wait obediently? Stand quietly at one side and watch you going out with another woman? Look at you being another person’s husband and dance intimately with her? Take care of her, hold her in your arms—will it be like this? Cun Xi, should I wait like this? Can you bear to treat me like this?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Anna's words cut into Cun Xi’s heart. He is pained and knows that he has let his girlfriend down.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“You must make a decision now. Cun Xi, do you choose her or me?” Anna throws down the ultimatum.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Right, Cun Xi. Say it!” When Zhen Zhu hears her question, she takes advantage of the opportunity to make her grandson decide. “Don’t hold Miss Shi back, I believe that there are many men out there chasing after her.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Cun Xi understands his grandmother’s hint. She wants him to grab the chance to reject Anna, but how can he do this?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He can’t hurt Anna but he doesn’t want to hurt Xin Yi either. He looks at Xin Yi helplessly and she is also watching him. Her eyes carry a tinge of sorrow. It is as if she already knows what he will do.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He remembers what she just said. She is Cinderella and will disappear at midnight…</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“Cun Xi, say it! Who do you choose?” Anna urges him.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He stands tensely and holds on to the study table. Suddenly his hand touches the scarf and he feels moved. Holding up the scarf, he can feel its warmth seeping into his heart.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >This is given to him by Anna, she kitted it personally…</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >“I choose Anna.” He announces hoarsely. “She is the one I truly love.”</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >In an instant, time stands still. Anna smiles in relief and granny bites her lips in frustration. As for Xin Yi, her face is expressionless. She doesn’t say anything and after a long while, she smiles self-mockingly and leaves quietly.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The midnight has come and she has awakens from her dream—She is not a princess; she is just the ordinary Cinderella. </span><br /></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-90819863778438990792008-06-04T19:25:00.004+08:002008-06-06T00:36:02.569+08:00Chapter 5 - Misunderstanding<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Translated by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">meosles</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Edited by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Beauty_Karova</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Even though this marriage is not based on love, I will not betray you.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi slowly builds up a relationship with Granny. She uncovers her specialty and imitates one of Master’s Zhong Shan Long ceramic works to give to Granny. Cun Xi, who sees his wife chatting intimately with another man, cannot suppress his jealousy and without clarifying the situation, confronts Xin Yi in front of Granny.</i></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi’s support gives Xin Yi courage and she is no longer afraid of the servants. At the very least, she is still the lady of the house. She should make requests when the situation calls for it.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I wish to look at the past menus.” She asks the kitchen staff and observes Cun Xi and Zhen Zhu’s eating habits. She notes down their likes and dislikes and often interacts with the housekeeper to ask about the Ji family’s daily affairs. Even though she does not have to handle the matters herself, she has to keep an eye on them sometimes.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She also takes the initiative to get closer to Zhen Zhu. Granny likes ceramic art and keeps a workplace in the backyard. It even has a kiln where she can make ceramics for fun. Xin Yi sometimes joins her and gives her opinions.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“So you know this too?” Zhen Zhu is pleasantly surprised.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I like it since childhood but I don’t have such a good studio like granny.” Xin Yi smiles. “Granny’s craft is much better than mine.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I only make them for fun.” When Zhen Zhu sees that this granddaughter-in-law is able to form a beautiful shape with ease and she is full of admiration. “Looks like you have some talent! Xin Yi, do you want me to hire a master to teach you?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“No need!” Xin Yi quickly waves her hand. “I am doing it for fun. I have never thought about being a ceramic artist.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Why not?” Zhen Zhu raises her eyebrows. “You are still young and have potential. If you study under a master, you have a bright future ahead of you.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She? Bright future? Xin Yi shakes her head. It never crosses her mind that such a wonderful thing can happen to her. She doesn’t dare to dream too big, because she can never achieve it.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You have too little confidence in yourself.” Zhen Zhu seems to read her mind. “You should trust granny. I specialize in collecting ceramic arts, so my judgment is quite accurate. If I say you have talent, you definitely have… That’s right, some day I should ask Dylon to look at your work and let him appraise it.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Dylon?” Xin Yi is surprised. This name, is it the same man who gave her the lucky bowl? “Who is he?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“He is an art broker. Normally I buy my ceramic arts through him. He is very familiar with master Zhong Shan Long.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Master Zhong Shan Long?” Xin Yi says in surprise. “He is the ceramic master that I idolize the most!”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I love his works too.” Zhen Zhu smiles and her eyes turn misty. “When we were young we were once in love.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Really?” Xin Yi is curious. “What happened?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“That took place a long time ago…” Zhen Zhu sighs and slowly talks about her first love that she has missed.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In this manner, the relationship between the two women deepens as each day passes by. Originally Zhen Zhu only treated Xin Yi as the mother of her great-grandson. But slowly she grows to like her and often privately reminds her grandson to treat his wife better.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Even though Cun Xi feels that he should not neglect Xin Yi, he still feels guarded. So he continues to blow hot and cold, and maintains a distance from his wife.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi understands his confusion and does not ask for more. She quietly cares for Cun Xi in her own way. When she learns that Cun Xi does not like to eat out and prefers plain food, she make his lunch herself and asks the servant to send it to his office. She knows that he is busy with meetings and doesn't have time for meals, so she make healthy sandwiches that can be eaten while he is reading documents. He is sick of eating the same type of food every day, so she tries to vary the tastes.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She carefully hand-washes his strawberry blanket. His study is full of Anna’s photos and she wipes the photo frames for him. His time is precious, so she helps him to prepare his shirt and tie every morning so that he does not have to worry about them.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He goes out early in the morning and returns home late at night. They seldom have time to talk so she leaves messages on sticky notes for him everywhere. Like reminding him not to work too late at night in the study, eat supper if he is hungry and wear more clothes when it is cold.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She actually doesn’t know what a wife should do but she tries to do whatever she can. Because she wants to care for him and wishes that he will be well and happy.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She doesn’t want to trouble him. Even though this marriage can last only for roughly nine months, she doesn’t want to bring any disturbance to him. She will buy baby care books herself and go to hospital for checkups on her own.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Today you come alone again?” The gynaecologist asks Xin Yi.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Umm, that’s right.” She smiles a little awkwardly. The doctor tells her immediately that he wishes that her husband will accompany her. “Cun Xi… My husband is too busy at work, he can’t take the time off.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Then find a way to take time off. This is his baby too.” The doctor is a little disapproving. “The pregnant mother has many particulars. I want to explain to him and ask him to take note.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You can tell them to me, doctor.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“All right.” The doctor looks at her for a while. “Is your condition of vomiting still very serious recently?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Yes, a little bit…”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After the examination has ended, Xin Yi leaves the clinic. She is holding the ultrasonic scan in her hand and smiles at it foolishly—the baby is really growing little by little! Will it be a boy or a girl? The doctor says that he can’t determine the gender yet but she hopes that it will be a cute and handsome boy like his father.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But no matter what the baby looks like, she can only look at him once. When the time comes, she has to leave the Ji family, leave her baby and leave… him.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When she is thinks about this part, Xin Yi silently stands where she is.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Hey! Isn’t this my ex-girlfriend who causes uproar with her pregnancy, Chen Xin Yi?” A sarcastic voice calls out behind her.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It’s Gucci! She looks back and is stunned at to see her ex-boyfriend looking at her maliciously.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Gucci laughed sinisterly and look at her from head to toe. “Well? Coming to see the gynaecologist alone by yourself? Are you thinking of having an abortion? That rich boyfriend of yours refuses to bear responsibility?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She frowns and tries to ignore him, but his voice continues to taunt her.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I already told you. Why will any man want a fish rod girl like you, who have no looks and no figures? He was only fooling around with you!” Gucci’s manner is caustic.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She stares at him. “What are you doing here?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Me? I am accompanying my woman for an examination.” When he says this, a petite woman comes over. Xin Yi recognizes Rebecca, the woman whom Gucci met on the cruise. Gucci pulls her over and smiles in triumph. “Let me introduce, this is my fiancée.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Hey! Gucci, isn’t this your fish rod ex-girlfriend?” Rebecca is as caustic as Gucci. “Why? She is seeing the gynaecologist alone by herself? Is she going for an abortion?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I came here for an examination!” Xin Yi can’t take it anymore and answers back.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Having an examination?” Gucci sneers. “Really? You really intend to have the baby? Aren’t you afraid that being a single mother will be difficult?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I am married!”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Married?” Rebecca raises her eyebrows. “Who? Who will marry you?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Me!” A sharp voice rings out.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The three of them turn their heads in surprise. Using large strides, Cun Xi walks over coldly. He takes Xin Yi in his arms and says protectively.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I, Ji Cun Xi, have married Chen Xin Yi. Do you have any problems with that?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“No, no!” Gucci turns pale. When he remembers how badly he lost at the casino on the cruise, he still feels apprehensive and quickly leaves with Rebecca.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You… why are you here?” Xin Yi can’t believe her eyes.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You dare to ask!” Cun Xi looks at her in disapproval. “Why did you go for the gynaecologist examination alone by yourself? Granny told me that the doctor had asked me to accompany you during your last examination.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“But… I thought you are busy…”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“The baby is mine too, don’t forget that!” Cun Xi rebukes her and pulls her along to the clinic. After the doctor told them of the things they should pay close attention to, they leave the clinic.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Aren’t you busy in your company? Quickly go back.” Xin Yi urges him to go.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What about you?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I want to buy some baby products. Granny says that it’s time to decorate the baby room…”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Then I’ll go with you.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What? You go with me…”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Stop nagging. Let’s go!” Cun Xi stops Xin Yi forcefully.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He is not happy. He didn’t expect Xin Yi to go for the examination alone and get mocked by people. He married her because he didn’t want her to suffer the disapproval of others but she still suffers.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It’s his fault for neglecting, his fault for not bearing the responsibility of a husband. From today onwards, this will be corrected, he decides gloomily.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He accompanies Xin Yi to the baby store. Xin Yi is delighted at everything she sees. She holds up a pair to tiny shoes and asks excitedly. “Cun Xi, which color is nice? Blue or red?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Anything.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I like red color but if the baby is a boy, then won't the blue be better?” Xin Yi hesitates.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Isn’t this easy?” Cun Xi says. “Just buy both colors.” He orders the shop assistant to wrap up everything that Xin Yi likes and buys two sets of every item. “Now regardless of whether we have a boy or girl, we can use them.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“But isn’t this too wasteful?” Xin Yi is speechless. He nearly buys up all the items in the shop.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Our family can afford it.” Cun Xi doesn’t think much about it.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Rich people are really different! Xin Yi smiles weakly. She better not shop with him in future, otherwise he will probably buy up another store.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“That’s right. We should buy some clothes for you.” Once Cun Xi decides on this, he drags her to another shop selling maternity clothes. In the end he really buys up half the items in the shop.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I can’t wear so many!” Xin Yi protests. Who will buy so many maternity clothes? It’s only for nine months, what a waste!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Then wear a different one each day, you won’t get tired of them like this.” He says lightly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi looks at the nonchalant Cun Xi and feels flattered. No matter what, he is using his own ways to care for her.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Thank you.” She thanks him.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Thank for what?” Cun Xi frowns and he becomes serious. “Don’t say thanks and sorry at every turn. This is nothing.” This is only the duty of a husband.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Regardless, I still want to thank you.” Xin Yi smiles gratefully.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-------------------------------</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Since that day, the distance between them grows closer. Cun Xi will accompany Xin Yi to see the gynaecologist and takes the initiative to care about her health. He learns from the doctor that letting pregnant mothers drink garlic chives ginger juice and eat white sugar vinegar egg will improve their vomiting condition, so he personally makes sure that the kitchen makes some for Xin Yi.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">His attentiveness touches Xin Yi. No one has ever been so nice to her. All her previous boyfriends expected her to be the one to make sacrifices, but none sacrifice for her in turn. But he always helps her whenever she is in trouble.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A person like him deserves happiness. She decides to do more for him and teaches him how to be a good father before she leaves the Ji family. She hopes that he, the baby and Anna can form a happy family in future.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Cun Xi, look.” She makes him read the baby care books together with her. “Look at this baby, isn’t he cute?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Hmm. It’s quite cute.” Cun Xi glances at the picture carelessly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Look, the book says that babies who are newly born are easily injured. When you bath the baby, you must spread a towel below to prevent slippage, and remember to protect the neck when you carry the baby…”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Let the nanny take note of these.” Cun Xi interrupts her. “Don’t worry. We will hire a professional nanny to care for the baby when the time comes.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“But the nanny is not the real parent. She won’t give the baby her full love!” She is slightly agitated and worries that the baby will have no one to love him. The nanny and even the grandma cannot replace a parent’s love.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If she, the mother, cannot remain at the side of the baby, then as the father he must love him.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Please spend more time with the baby in future, even if only to talk to him.” She pleads.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi looks at her gravely and seems to understand her anxiety. His eyes darken and he nods his head. “I understand.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That puts her at ease and she continues to share the contents of the books with him. He looks at the smile on her face and is dazed. Maybe all pregnant women give off a motherly glow. He feels that she looks kind and beautiful, making him think of his own mother.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When his mother carried him, did she share baby knowledge with his father so earnestly?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Xin Yi, you…”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He wants to ask, after a few months when she must leave her own baby, will she be sad? But he doesn't dare and can only look at her.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi feels strange and is about to ask him when her hand phone rings suddenly. She answers the phone. “Hello, who is this?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I am Dylon, do you remember?” The other party says laughingly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Dylon? It’s you!” She cries in delight. Cun Xi hears her and frowns. She waves her hand apologetically and leaves the room to talk at the hallway. “Why do you call?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I got your number from the orphanage and wanted to ask after you.” Dylon explains. “Do you mind?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Why would I? I should have called to thank you for giving me that ceramic bowl.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“That’s nothing. Well? Is your marriage life happy? Does your husband treat you well?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“He treats me very well.” Xin Yi smiles and takes a look inside the room. Cun Xi is flipping though the baby care book. “Right, Dylon, I was about to ask you. Do you know Ji Zhen Zhu?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“How do you know?” Dylon enquires.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“So you are really the art broker that granny talks about?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Granny?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Um. Actually my husband is Ji Cun Xi.” She lowers her voice.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What? You married Ji Cun Xi?” Dylon utters in wonder. “Is he the one who had a one night stand with you on the cruise?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“How do you know?” Now it’s Xin Yi’s turn to be surprised. She thinks for a while and asks unhappily. “Did Father Norman tell you?” How can the priest tell her confession to another person?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Don’t blame the priest. Actually it’s me who heard it accidentally.” Dylon admits sheepishly that he impersonated the priest and listened to her confession. “I did not mean it, please forgive me.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What's the use to stay angry? He already knows everything. Xin Yi has no choice but then a thought occurs to her. “Since you owe me, can you do me a favor?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What favor? Just say the word!”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I want to give granny a present but I can’t afford it, so I need to make it myself. I heard that you are on close terms with master Zhong Shan Long. Can you teach me how to make a ceramic art that imitates his style?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You want to make it yourself?” Dylon smiles. “No problem! I’ll give you some opinions.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Therefore the two of them arranges a time. Xin Yi hangs up the phone and returns to the bedroom.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Who called?” Cun Xi asks.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“A friend.” She hesitates and continues. “He is the one who gave me the ceramic bowl by master Zhong Shan Long.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Him?” Cun Xi closes his eyes and thinks of her putting her cherished ceramic bowl in the room carefully. She looks at the bowl several times a day. He feels a stir of jealousy. “Since he is so generous, he is close to you?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Well...” Actually they don’t know each other well. “Come, let us continue to read the book.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-----------------------------</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi realizes that he minds.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He dwells upon his wife treating that ceramic bowl as precious and her delighted expression when she receives that man’s call that night.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He doesn’t understand why he cares. Xin Yi has the right to make friends of the other sex. A friend treating her well and giving her such an expensive art work is none of his business.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He is only… a little worried about her. Her luck when it comes to men is really bad. She is always dumped and used by others. He doesn’t want her to be cheated again.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It’s only for this reason, he tells himself, but can’t help keeping track of his wife’s whereabouts. Ever since she received that call, she often goes out and sometime even returns home at a later time than him. When he asks, she only says that she is keeping touch with her friends.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Is she meeting another man secretly? Cun Xi fumes subconsciously. Even though their marriage is only a contract for nine months, she should still respect her status of being Mrs. Ji. What is the meaning of this secrecy?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He gets even angrier when Anson accidentally sees Xin Yi with a man on the streets. The man was holding her and they behaved intimately.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He keeps his temper and tells Anson to mind his own business but he takes the matter to heart. One night, Xin Yi leaves immediately when she receives a call. He can’t help trailing her secretly in his car.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She calls a cab and goes to a luxurious condominium. After staying there for one hour, she comes out again with a handsome man besides her.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He looks darkly at the happy smiles on their faces and grips the car wheel tightly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Thank you! Dylon.” Xin Yi waves her hand. “Good night, bye bye!” She sits in the taxi again.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi follows her and after blocking the taxi at a traffic light, he knocks on the car window. “Chen Xin Yi, get out!”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She has a fright and finally turns down the card window. “Cun Xi?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Get out!” He orders fiercely.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Seeing the menacing expression on his face, she quickly pays the fare and get down from the taxi. Holding a large paper box, she sits in his car. “Cun Xi, why are you here?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You are so alarmed to see me?” Cun Xi says coldly and starts the engine. “Where have you been?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Me?” She is startled and glances at the paper box in her arms. “I went to a friend’s place…”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“It’s a man, right?” He interrupts her.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She is stunned.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Chen Xin Yi, aren’t you shameless? You are my wife and yet you are having a rendezvous with another man!”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Me, a rendezvous?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Don’t try to deny. I have seen it with my own eyes.” He glares at her. “Yes, we did not marry out of love and will be divorced in a few months time. But it seems you can’t bear with it for so long. Are you so eager to climb into another man’s bed?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She is stunned. “I did not!” How can he humiliate her like this?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“A man and a woman alone in an apartment for an hour. Don’t tell me you are just drinking tea and chatting.” He says coldly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“We were really only chatting...”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“That’s enough! Don’t lie to me, I don’t want to listen!” Cun Xi refuses to listen to Xin Yi’s explanations and steps on the pedal. The car speeds up.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She hurriedly holds on to the door handle. “Cun Xi, drive slower! Don’t you remember? Granny says that you should not drive above sixty kilometers per hour.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Damn the sixty kilometers per hour!” Cun Xi answers angrily but he slow down the car. It’s not because of granny’s rule but because he suddenly remembers that she is pregnant and can’t take sudden jolts.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He continues to drive in a temper. When he returns to the Ji house, he tosses his keys at a servant and drags Xin Yi indoors.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What? What happened?” Zhen Zhu is watching TV in the living room. When she sees their state, she is distraught.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You ask her yourself!” Cun Xi’s face is black. “Look what the woman that you insisted that I marry has done!”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What did you do?” Zhen Zhu asks Xin Yi.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I… I didn’t” Xin Yi’s face is white. “He misunderstood…”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I’ve seen it myself!” Cun Xi shouts. “You refuse to admit? And this is not the first time, even Anson sees you fooling around with another man.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You are fooling around with another man?” Zhen Zhu is shocked.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“No, granny. It’s, it’s…” Xin Yi hurriedly explains. “It’s Dylon…”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Dylon? You mean the Dylon who buys art work on my behalf?” Zhen Zhu frowns. “You are having an affair with him?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I am not… I only went to collect this.” Xin Yi doesn’t know how to explain and can only bring out the paper box she is carrying. “Granny, open it and you will understand.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Zhen Zhu takes the box uncertainly and opens it. Under layers of wrappings is a flower vase that is shaped like a lady. “This is?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“It must be given by that man!” Cun Xi is even angrier after seeing the vase. “He gave her a ceramic bowl before and now it’s a vase.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“It’s not given, I made it myself!” Xin Yi quickly explains.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What?” Cun Xi and granny exclaim at the same time.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi finally explains that in order to give granny a present, she asked Dylon to teach her how to make a piece that resembles Zhong Shan Long’s work. The reason why they have been meeting during this period of time is to create a good piece of work.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“So you made this for me personally?” Zhen Zhu is touched when she sees her granddaughter-in-law’s attentiveness and rebukes her beloved grandson instead. “Cun Xi, what is the matter with you? You accuse others without reason! Have granny ever taught you this?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi is dazed and realizes that he has misunderstood his wife. He feels apologetic but can’t bring himself to apologize out of pride.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi does not desire his apology either. She looks at him sadly for a moment. “You really feel that I am the type of woman who will betray a marriage?” Even if this marriage is not based on love, even if he doesn’t love her, she will never betray him. “In the future, please don’t misunderstand me again.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After she finishes talking, she goes upstairs quietly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-----------------------------------</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You should apologize to her.” Zhen Zhu advices her grandson after Xin Yi returned to her room.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi says moodily. “I know.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“So what if you know? Go and do it! I don’t believe that you can’t see how Xin Yi has care for you during this period and how much effort she puts into this family. She is serious about being a good wife to you—Do you know who make the sandwiches that is sent to you company every day? Who is being so attentive and knows what you want to eat today and what you don’t want to eat? Your strawberry blanket, she is afraid of spoiling it and hand washes it herself. When I passed the study the other day, she was wiping Anna’s photo frames. I wanted to take away those photos but Xin Yi refused to let me. She said Anna is very important to you.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When she says this, Zhen Zhu gets angry and raises her voice. “Don’t you think you are too much? You married Xin Yi but can’t forget Anna?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hearing his grandmother talk about his girlfriend, Cun Xi clenches his teeth and is filled with mixed emotions. “Originally the one I love is Anna, you should know that!” Marrying Xin Yi is only a delay strategy.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Anna, Anna, ever since you date that woman, you are the one who is compromising. What about her? What has she done for you?” Zhen Zhu says dismissively. “She only cares about dancing and goes to New York by herself without discussing with you! She should know that our Ji family has only one sole heir every generation but she still declares that she will not have children even if she marries you—I don’t understand, why do you still miss a selfish woman like her?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Because I love her!” Cun Xi shouts. Love has no reason. Even if Anna goes to New York and there’s almost no news of her, he still love her.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“It’s up to you! I can’t be bothered to talk with you anymore. You think over who is the one that is worth cherishing.” Zhen Zhu leaves angrily.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Of course the one he should cherish is Anna, Cun Xi thinks angrily. He shuts himself in the study looking at Anna’s picture and is lost in thoughts until midnight.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He tries to recall all the memories that he and Anna share. Remember Anna’s smiles, Anna’s dancing, and Anna’s mischievous look when she is flirting with him. But strangely, Xin Yi keeps barging into all these memories.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She on the ship comforting him that Anna will return to him, she bringing supper to the warehouse and combing his hair, all those inferior and lonely hopes that she hides in the wish box, she begging him to spend more time with the baby, and the sorrowful look that she gave him just now when she asked him not to misunderstand her again…</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi’s heart tightens. Maybe he has let her down. Maybe he should apologize to her.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He returns to the bedroom quietly. Xin Yi is already asleep. She still sleeps on the sofa and her body is curled up like a shrimp which somehow tugs at his heartstring.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He kneels down and looks at her tiny face.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She is really not very pretty or at least not as outstanding as Anna. She is ordinary, so ordinary that she has no character. She does everything quietly and does not ask for credit. No wonder people say that she is a sticky note girl. She has no sense of existence.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But for some reason, the more you interact with her, the stronger her existence attracts him and causes him to care.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What is the reason? Cun Xi can’t understand. Suddenly something falls out in front of her chest. He picks it up curiously. It’s a good luck charm that is hand sewn and inside it is a round thing like a coin. He takes a closer look, it is a chip.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He stares at the chip. Isn’t this the chip that he gave to her that night? She carries it so preciously on her body all this time?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi’s chest tightens and his heartbeat quickens. He looks that the sleeping Xin Yi and suddenly on impulse carries her and puts her on the bed.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She doesn’t wake up and only rubs her nose as if she is chasing away a fly. Suddenly she turns over, grabs the blanket and curling up her body like a shrimp, continues to sleep.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He finds it funny and uses his hand phone to take a photo of her ungracious sleeping posture. Looking at her continuing to sleep so soundly, his heart gives a tug and he bends his body. His lips slowly approach hers—</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What are you doing?” She opens her eyes and look sleepily at him.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He freezes.</span></span><br /></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-43776650687379083412008-06-04T19:11:00.005+08:002008-06-06T00:35:02.047+08:00Chapter 4<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Translated by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">wyng</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Edited by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Beauty_Karova</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Despite her new status, Xin Yi doesn't feel like a married woman.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi comes home drunk. Xin Yi takes care of him all night in spite of the fact that she is unwell and that her husband whispers another woman's name. Because of this accident, Cun Xi feels angry with himself. Will the blissfulness bowl that Dylon gives Xin Yi really brings her happiness? </i></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He wants to sign an agreement with her, stating in it that the marriage between them will cease with the baby's birth. Not only will he give her a large sum of money, he will also deposit a fixed amount into her bank account every month.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Even if one day she has to leave the Ji Family, as long as she signs these papers, she doesn’t have to worry about her future.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She can actually disagree with the terms, because her status in the Ji Family is safe as long as granny and the baby are around. But she doesn't have the heart to see him fret over the issue and accepts the agreement.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She silently signs the papers and while he is not looking, she quietly erases the alimony portion with correction fluid. She doesn’t want his money because she believes that she still has the ability to fend for herself. She just wishes that, when the time comes, he’ll take good care of their baby and give him a happy environment to grow up in.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is all she hopes for. Apart from that, she does not dare to think further. Neither is she in the position to think.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She smiles bitterly at her own situation and boards the bus.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Once the banquet ended, Granny had planned to bring Xin Yi back to the Ji’s residence, but Xin Yi’s parents couldn’t bear to let her leave so soon so they decided to keep her for the night. Xin Yi’s Mum instructed her the rules she will have to abide by being a daughter-in-law while Xin Yi’s Father cried over the sudden marriage of his daughter.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The next morning, Xin Yi packed her belongings and waited for Cun Xi to pick her up. She waited all day but Cun Xi did not turn up as promised.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi called Cun Xi up. He was in the midst of a meeting and, left with no choice, Xin Yi had to take a cab back to the Ji’s residence instead.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She knows that he did it on purpose as he does not want to face the reality of their forced marriage. That is why he pretends to have no time to fetch her home and ignores her. She doesn’t blame him for behaving this way, because their marriage was as sudden as it was ludicrous. She understands his reasons for being mad.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She would never have thought that despite being married, she would still be forgotten by her bridegroom, in the same way the surrounding people ignored her existence. The reality is so different from what she has imagined—her prince coming to fetch her and not forgetting about her…</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Well, there isn’t much choice, because I’m not the Princess.” Xin Yi mumbles to herself. The real princess is Anna, the only woman that Cun Xi wanted to marry all along. “To him, I’m just a burden..” She and the baby are responsibilities that Cun Xi has no choice but to face up with.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi sighs and looks out of the bus window dazedly. The scenery along the road passes by quickly besides her and suddenly, an advertisement board catches her attention.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">[Ceramic Exhibition of Master Zhong Shan Long]</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Master Zhong Shan Long is the ceramic master she respects the most and being an outstanding ceramicist has always been her dream. But a dream is just a dream. She’s just an ordinary girl. She wouldn’t be able to achieve this dream.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Looking at the advertisement, she has an idea and quickly gets off the bus. Standing in front of the exhibition hall, she does not expect that it’s past the opening hours and the door is locked.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At this moment, one of the men who stood on the staircase talking to his friend notices her. His eyes brighten and he walks to her. “Xin Yi!”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She is stunned by his cheerful face. “You’re..?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I’m Dylon. Have you forgotten about me?” He looks a little hurt upon her oversight. “We’ve meet each other in the church. We got to know each other thanks to some naughty kids.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Oh Yes.” She remembered. Those kids address him affectionately as “Daddy Dylon” and jokingly say they want to pair him with “Mummy Xin Yi”.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi is feeling embarrassed as she was only worrying about her baby’s issue that day and does not have a very clear impression of Dylon. “I’m sorry that I did not recognize you just now.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Oh…that hurts!” Dylon replies with an illusive smile . “Do you know that females can’t get their mind off me and will always think about me once they seen me?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi was a little amused by his words. How can he be so arrogant? But from his good looks, red lips and white teeth, he does have some potential of seduction.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Are you here for the Ceramic Exhibition?” she asks. “You’re also interested in ceramics?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He doesn’t answer her question. “How about you? Heard from the orphanage kids that you’re pretty good at it.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“No, not at all. It's just an hobby.” She shakes her head embarrassedly and sighs. “Too bad that I'm late and the exhibition hall is closed.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Do you really want to see it?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Yes. Master Zhong Shan Long is my most admired master and I’ve always wished to see his ceramic pieces.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There is a quick flash in Dylon’s eyes and he suddenly smiles. “Follow me then.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What?” Xin Yi is lost. While still trying to figure out what was happening, she is pulled by Dylon through a side door and into the exhibition hall. He presses the button from somewhere and the hall is lighted up. She is stunned. “Is it allowed to do this? Dylon, how can we sneak in here like this...”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“It’s alright. Don’t worry.” Dylon raises his hand and stops her from continuing further. “I thought you were very keen to see Master Zhong Shan Long’s pieces? Take a good look then.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There’s no need for Dylon to say this, because Xin Yi’s is already admiring Master Zhong Shan Long’s work. She is full of praises for his works. She suddenly stops in front of a piece of ceramic work.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It’s a big bowl with a very rounded shape. Despite the very thin outer layer, it gives out a very thick and solid feeling with dizzy light and warmth.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She stares at the bowl with awe. On the surface it’s a piece of very ordinary artwork, but it just fills up her heart with a very strong sense of sour sweetness.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You seem to be very fond of this bowl.” Dylon notices.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Yes.” She nods. “It gives me a very strange feeling.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What feelings ?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I feel…blissful.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Blissful?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Take a look... Despite the shape being very rounded but the outer layer very thin, though it seems like it breaks easily, the enamel colour gives people a sense of solidness and stability. Isn’t that what being blissful is all about? On one hand enabling us to feel warm and safe, but on the other hand also makes us feel the fear of standing on thin ice.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dylon listens on, with the glow in his eyes sinking. After a long while, he asks Xin Yi softly “What’s your definition for being blissful?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Being blissful…” Xin Yi smiled mistily. “is when there’s additional vegetable on my lunch; when you’re squeezing on the bus, others would let you get on first; when it’s your birthday, there’s people who’ll celebrate together with you; or when you’re playing hide-and-seek, your friends will find you first..”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“This is what you mean by…being blissful?” Dylon frowns. It’s all so minor!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Yes. Very simple isn’t it?” Xin Yi smiles faintly. But to her, it's something that’s very difficult to fulfil.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dylon looked at her with deep thoughts within. He notices there’s a slight loneliness behind her faint smile. He has a sudden thought and when he is about to say it out, Xin Yi’s handphone rings. She hurriedly picks it up, afraid that it will alert the security guards of the exhibition hall.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Hi. I’m Xin Yi.” She lowers her voice while speaking. “It’s you, Granny…Wedding Photos? I guess there’s no need for it, because I think Cun Xi is not free…Alright, I understand. I’ll be right there.” She hangs up the phone.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Eh? Did I hear that you’re going to take wedding photos?” Dylon is curious. “Don’t tell me you got married because of your baby?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How does he know? Xin Yi blushes with a guilt conscience.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Oh no. You’re really planning to get married because of the baby?” He shockingly raises his voice.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She is embarrassed and nervous. “I…I got to go. It’s was a pleasure to meet you today. Bye Bye!” She turns her back and was ready to go.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Wait!” Dylon holds on to her and looks at her for quite awhile. “Allow me to give you a wedding gift!”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Wedding gift?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Yes.” He brings her back to the door of the exhibition hall and gets her to wait outside. Ten minutes later, he is back with a big paper box and passes it to her with a smile on his face. “For you.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She receives the gift and thanks Dylon vacuously. It isn't till she steps into the Ji’s residence that she opens up the box. One look inside it and it almost takes away her breath!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The gift is that special bowl!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How is that possible? Xin Yi can’t believe it. That man not only brings her to the exhibition hall after opening hours, he can even give her a ceramic piece of Master Zhong Shan Long. This man – WHO IS HE?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Inside the box is there's a message written on the card with very graceful handwriting :</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I hope this bowl will bring you happiness and blissfulness!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Blissfulness? Xin Yi is stunned. Will she be able to achieve it?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">---------------------------------------------</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Blissfulness... is indeed far from sight for Xin Yi.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When she first enters the Ji Family, her husband takes upon the excuse of going outstation for official business and is not around for a few days. Servants in house seem to know that their young master does not fancy her and thus are not that friendly towards her. They do not even talk to her respectfully.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Granny Zhen Zhu calls her into her room and tells her that she’s the new lady master of the house so now the whole household of the Ji Family is in her charge. Xin Yi is afraid and tells her that she still has a job. However, Granny already attended to her resignation and as the daughter-in-law of the Ji Family doesn’t have to work, she should just concentrate on being Mrs Ji Cun Xi’s.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Granny also encourages her to be firm with the servants in the house. But how can Xin Yi do it, when her own husband is ignoring her and that she's used to always giving in to others?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi feels very troubled. Since she’s married into the Ji Family, she has no choice but to start learning how to be the lady master of the house, for the sake of the future of her baby.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And so, she starts to get used to the new surroundings. Not only the decoration of the Ji’s residence is very posh and exquisite, there’s even a few goats being reared at one corner of their huge garden and a few crocodiles being feed in the pond. Granny says goat’s milk and crocodile’s blood is being fed to Cun Xi since young to help stabilize the poor condition of his health. Being the only heir of the Ji’s family, in order to avoid the god’s jealousy towards him, Cun Xi is dressed up and attended to like a girl since childhood.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He actually wore girl’s clothing? When Xin Yi flips through the family’s album and sees pictures of Cun Xi in girl’s clothing, she can’t help but laugh.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The prince was once a “princess” when he was young!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She looks at the album with curiosity, staring at his baby pictures. It was only till primary school days that he began wearing boys’ clothing. And he does look very cute and noble in the suit with shorts and bow tie!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Being a legendary person during his teenager days – Reciting, Debating, Piano… he had won plenty of trophies from minor and major competitions. He was also selected as Chairman for Class Reunion Committee and Student Committee during his days in college and university.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What follow is the days when he starts working – Handsome, Charismatic and a real Prince. And there, standing besides him, is a graceful and beautiful woman, with a pair of eyes beaming with confidence.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This woman is... Anna?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Seeing Xin Yi gazing at Anna’s picture, Granny senses something wrong and quickly grabs over the album. “Don’t take it too hard. Now the Young mistress is you and I acknowledge only you as my daughter-in-law.” Granny seriously assures her.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But Cun Xi only loves Anna.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Though there’s a sense of bitterness inside her, Xin Yi considerately does not mentioned a word about how she feel. Instead, she continues chatting with Granny about the bits and pieces of the growing up of Cun Xi. Though the elderly love to go on forever in their reminiscences of the past, Xin Yi is still very enthusiastic in knowing and understanding more about Cun Xi.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“And Xin Yi, since you’re married into our family, please take good care of Cun Xi in the future.” Granny gently reminds her. “That is why there are some rules that you need to remember on his behalf.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What rules?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“No cold drinks in the morning except a glass of lukewarm milk. Alcohol is only allowed after lunch and there must be a limit to it. The taste of meals for dinner must not be too heavy, less consummation of cholesterol, fruits must be available for all three meals in the day and the maximum reading for driving speed is sixty kilometers per hour...”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Sixty kilometers per hour?” Does she hear it correctly?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“That’s right.” Granny is very serious. “I don’t allow him to speed drive. It’s too dangerous.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But isn’t 60km/hr too slow? Xin Yi sticks out her tongue but still continues to pay attention to Granny’s long list of rules. “Will he follow them?” Cun Xi’s not a kindergarten kid anyway.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Of course he will!” Granny is very proud of herself. “Cun Xi is a very filial grandson!”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But Granny’s sense of pride for Cun Xi only last for a few hours. Late in the night, Cun Xi is finally back, but he is drunk.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Granny is so angry that her face is twisted. “Cun Xi, did Granny tell you that there should be a limit to how much you can drink? Look at you now. What’s if your body can’t take it? What has Anson been doing? I warned him not to let you drink so much. I’m going to call him now and ask him why…”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“It’s me… erm… It’s me… who wanted to drink…Grandma, don’t blame it on Anson.” Cun Xi is burping and stammers as he walks up the stairs. He is swaying from side to side and almost fells down the stairs.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi quickly goes up and supports him from behind. “Be careful.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi feels a feminine touch on his back. “Is that you…Anna?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi heart sinks. “It’s me, Xin Yi.” She replies softly to Cun Xi’s question.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Oh yeah. How can I forget?” Cun Xi mocks himself. “There’s a wife at home…waiting for me.” He shakes off her hands and climbs up the stairs unsteadily.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“This silly boy! How can he get himself so drunk?” Granny is very troubled over Cun Xi’s behaviour. “Xin Yi, I’ll leave Cun Xi to your care then.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Yes.” Xin Yi nods and follows behind Cun Xi back to his bedroom.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After vomiting in the restroom, Cun Xi sits down dispirited on the floor. Though his mental state is unclear now, Xin Yi doesn’t mind at all and starts clearing the mess on him with a towel.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There’s a strong smell of liquor on his body, even in his breath. Perhaps normal ladies will feel annoyed handling this type of situation, but not for Xin Yi. No matter how pathetic or unlikeable he is right now, all she can thought of is how the prince who weaves a princess dream for her and saves her from the pitiful plight on the cruise, his gentleness underneath his pre-eminent behaviour and words he says when he gives the token to her as a memento.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I’m so sorry to have got you into this marriage and made you buried your sorrows in liquor.” She murmurs while trying her best to drag him onto the bed and help him to take off his socks and shoes. After unbuttoning his shirt, Xin Yi sees Cun Xi’s tanned and very manly chest. Suddenly, her heart beats more quickly and she immediately turns away from the sight.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Anna…” He still mistakes Xin Yi with another woman.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“No…I’m not…I’m…” She stiffly swallows back her own name and decides to go along with the misunderstanding. Right now, he must be wishing for the woman he loves to be by his side.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Anna! I’m sorry…I didn’t do it on purpose…Its Granny who forced me to marry her…I didn't want to betray you but…She’s pregnant with my child…I can’t leave her in the lurch. I’m sorry…I’m sorry…” He grabs Xin Yi’s hands and keeps apologizing.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi listens with sorrows in her heart. He refuses to let her apologize so easily, but right now he himself is apologizing to another woman— “Cun Xi, I don’t blame you at all.” She consoles him gently. “Just sleep. Take a good sleep and stop thinking so much.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You…really don’t blame me?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Yes. I don’t blame you.” She looks at him with kindness in her eyes, telling him the “lie” he wants to hear.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He smiles, opens his eyes and looks at her in stupor. And suddenly, he takes her by the neck and before she can react, Cun Xi kisses her on the lips.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It is a very light kiss, as light as a feather. So full of compassion that it strummers her heart.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Thank you so much...” He tells her. But the next minute, Cun Xi brings her back to reality. “...Anna.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It’s Anna, not her! The person he thought he kissed was the illusion of his lover, not Xin Yi who’s right in front of him now.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi sighs. She signed at her own foolishness and imagination of Cun Xi loving her. She carefully covers Cun Xi with a blanket and places his favourite Strawberry pattern blanket beside him on the bed.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sitting at the side of the bed, Xin Yi looks at Cun Xi’s peaceful and innocent face. “Good Night.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">---------------------------------------------</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The following morning, Cun Xi wakes up with a headache.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Holding his head and half getting up from his bed, Cun Xi is angry with himself over the fact that he is unable to hold his image in the public after having a drop too much at the bar last night.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Taking a deep breath, he notices a lukewarm glass of Honey Lemon glass placed besides the bed. He drinks from the it and his headache slowly gets better.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi is very curious about the considerate person who prepared such a glass of fruit juice for him. And at this time, he catches sight of a women sleeping on the sofa and slips down from bed for a closer look.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's Xin Yi. She's curled up on the sofa with a thin blanket and it seems to be cold as she is shivering lightly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“This silly woman!” Cun Xi frowns. After getting a blanket, Cun Xi covers her with it but it wakes Xin Yi up.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You’re up?” She quickly gets up and is blinking her sleepy eyes.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Why are you sleeping on the sofa?” His asks with snappiness.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I…I didn’t know where I could sleep.” She awkwardly tries to explain herself. “I can’t sleep in another room and if Granny knows about it, she will be very unpleased.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She’s right. If Granny knows that they’re not sharing the bed like normal husband and wife, she’ll be mad. “In the future, I’ll sleep on the sofa and you’ll take the bed.” He stares at her with sulkiness.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“No I can’t!” She protests, shaking her hands vigorously. “That is your bedroom! How can I occupy your bed?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“But…”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“It’s alright. The sofa’s big and comfortable enough for me.” She always gives in to others, but on this issue, she is surprisingly persistent.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Since she doesn’t mind, then I shouldn’t either. Moreover, it’s impossible that I’ll share the same bed with her. Much to his chagrin, Cun Xi’s still curious. “Did you prepare that glass of juice?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Yes, I did. Have you drunk it? Has it gone cold?” She asks him in a worried tone.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“No, it didn’t.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“That’s great.” She sounds relieved. “Granny reminded me that you’re not allowed to take cold drinks in the morning so woke up at 5 to change another glass for you. I was worried that the previous glass has gone cold.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At 5? Cun Xi is astounded. She specially got up so early just to change a hot drink for me? Don’t tell me she woke up a few times through the night just to do this?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“To play it safe...” She reminds him. “You should take another glass of the juice in 30 min and you’ll get better from the hangover.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You seem to be very experienced in handling such situations?” Does her ex -boyfriends got drunk often? Cun Xi wonders himself.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“No…It’s my Dad!” She laughs. “Every time he got drunk, he’ll have a serious hangover the next day. Tea or milk has no effect on him so the best choice is fruit juice.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He doesn’t say anything but looks at her. She notices it and doesn't dare to continue on. The atmosphere becomes rather stiff.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Though they are newly wed, it is not because they love each other. Moreover, they even signed a divorce agreement after that. Both of them feel uneasy and do not have the slightest idea how to get along with each other and their marriage.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Erm…I…” When Xin Yi finally gathers all courage to speak, she feels a sudden rush of nausea and immediately dashes to the restroom to vomit, though nothing comes out.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Are you alright?” Cun Xi is shocked to see her like this.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I’m ok. I’m jus feeling a little...nausea. I will be alright in awhile.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Its morning sickness…” Cun Xi is thinking. Though he’s not familiar with the general knowledge of pregnancy, he at least knows that many pregnant mothers do have morning sickness problems.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Being unwell herself, she still managed to take care of me last night when I was drunk. How can such a silly woman exist? What has he done to deserve such care and concern from her? He purposely left her alone for a few days after their marriage. How can he be considered a good husband after all these had happened?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Don’t worry. I’m fine now.” Assuring Cun Xi, Xin Yi smiles and walks out of the restroom after surviving the physical uneasiness.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Looking at her pale face, Cun Xi suddenly feels mad at himself. Very, very mad…</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">---------------------------------------------</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi’s anger does not stop right there. It extends to breakfast time and it startles all the servants in the house.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It starts when Xin Yi goes down for breakfast and sees a plate of grilled mackerel fish on the breakfast table. She feels the smell of the fish rather strong and requests the servants to get it taken away. However, the servant replies that its young master’s favourite so they can’t remove it.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“If that’s the case, then can I have something sour to consume? Or do you have Pomegranate juice?” Though she is polite towards the servant, the answer is “There’s no Pomegranate juice in house because Young Master and Old Mistress don’t like to drink it.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">From the way it looks, Xin Yi knows the servants also won’t take the trouble to prepare the juice for her either. Sighing, she understands all these servants personally look down on her due to the rush of her marriage to Cun Xi. Though Granny left instructions for her to take over the household, she seriously has no idea where to start from.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“In that case…I’ll skip breakfast then.” She bitterly decides to leave breakfast alone as she can not swallow anything down when she can still feel the nausea inside her stomach.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You have to eat!” In a split second, Cun Xi voice comes along. He walks towards the table and stares strictly at the servant. “Didn’t you hear that Young Mistress wants to drink Pomegranate Juice?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“But… But there isn’t any in the house…”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Then go buy it!” Cun Xi raises his voice at the servant and it gives the rest a fright. “And why is there grilled mackerel fish for breakfast? Didn’t you people realize that there’s a pregnant woman in the house? Change it away and bring some other food here!”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“But Young Master…Mackerel Fish is your favourite!”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Any food that is causing Young Mistress to feel unwell is not allowed to appear on this table!” Cun Xi roars. He is still very angry with the servants taking the opportunity to bully Xin Yi. “Listen carefully. I won’t give anyone a second chance to repeat the same mistake again so you people better bear this in mind.”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Yes, Young Master.” The servant answers hurriedly, immediately removes the grilled mackerel fish and starts to get busy preparing Pomegranate juice for Xin Yi.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Granny can’t help but smile when she sees Cun Xi blowing his top at the servants because of Xin Yi.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“So… what happened? Who’ve made our Young Master so angry?” Granny purposely throws out the question when she steps into the dinning room.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Since Granny is here, Cun Yi has no choice but to hold back his anger and greets her. Xin Yi also quickly helps to pull out a chair for her to get seated at the table.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Looking at the sulked face of her grandson and the puzzled expression on Xin Yi’s face, Granny laughs out loud finally.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Granny, what are you laughing at?” Cun Xi frowns and asks.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I’m laughing at you two. The more I look, the more compatible you two get. Cun Xi, you’re already a married man. You should know the responsibility of a husband and how to go by fulfilling them. As for Xin Yi, you’re the daughter-in-law of our family now so do have more confidence in yourself and don’t always give in. Both of you understand what I’m trying to say?”</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For a few moments, the two young adults get distracted by Granny’s words. After awhile, both Cun Xi and Xin Yi exchange eye contact and nod their head. “Yes, Granny. We understand.”</span></span><br /></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-34835819050090268312008-06-04T19:09:00.004+08:002008-06-06T00:33:43.747+08:00Chapter 3<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Translated by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">minivicki</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Edited by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Beauty_Karova</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Marriage Caused by the Baby</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Ji Cun Xi, who came to Jiang Mu Island to retrieve the mother source accidentally, met Xin Yi. The two of them were scolded and had to spend a night in the garage together. This night seemed to bring them closer. They enjoyed the sound of the soft but strong heartbeat of the little life together and their internal emotions were stirred. In that case, just follow the orders of the elders and—Let's get married.</i></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Start early, end early. The next day, Cun Xi together with his assistant Anson, board the first boat to Jiang Mu Island.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jiang Mu Island is situated offshore from Taiwan. The land area is quite small and there aren't many islanders. For the past years, they have been relying on the one and only shampoo factory on the island for their livelihood. Sadly, the factory hasn't been well managed and it has ended up with the fate of being auction, which is why Magical Enterprise could take it over. They have not expected that once they brought it, all the troubles would come along.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The sky is dark, the wind blowing strongly. Cun Xi stands at the stern like the statue of a warrior, looking as though he's ready for a cold hard battle.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Indeed, he's here for battle. He is groomed to takeover the family business since young and he has seen a lot of troubles that has taken place in the past and been through some mishaps too, including being kidnapped for ransom. He has never admitted defeat in those times and no one can ever threaten him.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This time, the Wu Family's father and son has infuriated him.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Chairman, the waves are really huge." Anson is stumbling beside him, slightly seasick. "I heard from the other people on the boat that there's a typhoon approaching!"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Is it? I don't feel it." His attention is focused on getting back the mother source. "The boat is going too slowly, go and make the Captain to speed up."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What? Speed up? It's already shaky enough! Anson's stumbled off to negotiate with the captain with an unhappy look, not brave enough to defy the Chairman's orders.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi continues to stand at the stern. A slight distance away, a person walks past and she looks like Xin Yi; Cun Xi blinks his eyes, hoping that he sees the wrong person.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's impossible! Why is she here? Unless she has heard news of him coming and chased him all the way here? She… isn't here blame him for the baby in her womb is she?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Images of Xin Yi crying and begging him to take responsibility float around in Cun Xi's mind. He starts sweating profusely and his eyebrows are knitted together. Although frustrated, he still decides to face up to his duties and moves towards the woman. Unexpectedly, a man carrying a pole on his shoulder walks towards him and turns, accidentally sweeping Cun Xi into the sea.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How can such a stupid thing happen?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi floats in shock in the sea, attempting to swim back onto the boat. However, the boat suddenly starts to speed up and he is ditched far behind. Luckily, he's quite good in swimming and after a while, he finally climbs onto shore, panting heavily.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On the other side, a group of islanders have gathered and their focus is all on the boat that's slowly approaching. No one notices him and when he sees how all the islanders are carrying sticks and pans, standing with as though they were getting ready for battle, he realizes that they are likely there to "welcome" him.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Since he already knows there's threat, Cun Xi obviously won't step into the danger zone himself. He digs inside his pocket for his phone to call and warm Anson but realizes that he lost both his phone and wallet.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">sh*t! It must have dropped when I was swimming onshore! After thinking for a moment, Cun Xi decides to leave the mess for Anson to settle and he heads towards the factory.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When he enters the factory, Wu Qi Qi is happily squeezing tomato ketchup on his huge hamburger, preparing to have a delicious male. When he sees Cun Xi, he is shocked!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Ji Cun Xi, you're fast! I didn't expect you to be able to remain alive and make your way to the factory!" What is the group at the port doing? They can't even stop one man!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Hand over the mother source immediately!" Cun Xi ordered.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wu Qi Qi looks at him. Noticing that he is wet from head to toe, looking pathetically like an illegal immigrant that swam onshore, he decides that Cun Xi must have been treated very badly by the group at the port. He calms down and starts laughing evilly. "Do you think you can walk out of this factory alive?" He has already set up a big trap in the factory!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"The one who's going to die should be you, all right?" Cun Xi says darkly. "If you're still determined to work against me, then I will sell the factory to Steven Zhou who's interested in building an incinerator. I'm sure your situation will become even worse. As for me, not only will I not suffer a lost, I might be able to earn some profits through the sale."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What? Sell the factory? Wu Qi Qi starts to feel unease but he still keeps up a cool front. "Ji Cun Xi, don't think that all of us Jiang Mu Island people are easy to fool! I will not be tricked by you!"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I'm giving you one last chance. Hand over the mother source."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"If you want to get back the mother source, there's only one way. That's to step over my body!" Wu Qi Qi pulls a string and a bag of flour drops from the sky. The white powder scatters over the whole area.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi reacts quickly and immediately covers his nose and mouth. It is Wu Qi Qi who triggered this trap that begins coughing profusely. He has been laughing too much and forgotten to close his mouth, resulting in him breathing in a lot of the flour. Next up is the hidden sandbag. Cun Xi ducks down and avoids it. The one who hit the prize is once again Wu Qi Qi. He falls on the ground in pain and ends up slamming his hand on the mouse-trap. His fingers immediately turn red and start to swell. He jumps up, screaming in pain but ends up having a bucket landing on his head. He passes out due to the bucket and falls onto the floor.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Open-mouthed, Cun Xi stares at the whole scene. He's definitely right, the members of Wu Family are very smart soldiers. He has never seen anyone set up a trap and eagerly jump into it himself. That has been very instructive.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He shakes his head, laughing to himself. As Wu Qi Qi's body happens to be blocking the narrow walkway, he can only step over him and walk into the office to search for the mother source.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It doesn't require him much energy to find the disk as it is lying in the very first drawer and on it, they have very nicely written "Mother Source" using a red marker.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Holding the disk in his hand, Cun Xi starts to hesitate and ponder. He can't believe that anyone can be that stupid. This disk must be a fake one right? However, considering how Wu Qi Qi can't even escape from a trap that he himself set, it is possible he really is that stupid.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Wu Qi Qi, are you around?" Wu Liu Liu's loud voice springs up from the factory door. The chattering of the islanders can be heard too. "Where has that Ji Cun Xi hidden himself? He wasn't on the boat! Lucky there's a typhoon warning today so the boat can't drive off. That kid can't escape even if he has wings and can fly. We're planning to do a search of the whole island…"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Search of the whole island?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi's mind jumps into alert mode and before he can think of any other things, he has already jumped out of the office window and sprinted away from the scene.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-------------------------------</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sigh! She really feels like escaping.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi stands in front of the house, shuffling around. She's really reluctant about stepping into the house and facing up her parents' scolding.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last night, when her dad Chen Hu Yuan and mom Xi Shi have heard about their daughter being pregnant from the other islanders, they were shocked and have immediately made the call, demanding for Xin Yi to return to Jiang Mu Island. No matter how reluctant she has felts, she could only take the first boat back.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"You're finally back!" Hu Yuan discovers her first and immediately drags her to kneel in front of all the ancestors' memorial tablet. "How could I have raised a daughter that can bring such a disgrace to our family? News of your pregnancy even made it onto the television! Do you know that this scandalous news has spread throughout the whole Jiang Mu Island already? How can we still show our face around here?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Exactly!" Xi Shi joins in on the nagging. "Haven't I told you before? Save on everything except condom! You threw all the lectures I gave you into the wind?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The two continues one after another, scolding their daughter non-stop.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Speak! Who is the man that got you pregnant?" Hu Yuan demands loudly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi shakes her head adamantly. "I… I don't know." How can she drag the innocent Cun Xi into the mess too? "He was a stranger that was on the cruise. I didn't mean to… Sigh, it was all an accident!"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Accident your head!" Hu Yuan is shaking with anger. "Fine, fine, fine! You're going to protect that stupid guy? I'll hit you until you admit then! Wife, pass me the cane!"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What? He's going to deal out the family punishment? Xin Yi is shocked. Xi Shi hesitates too. She turns towards her daughter. "Why don't you quickly reveal who he is? Do you really want to anger your dad? Who's the man? Did he lure you onto bed? Or did he drug you?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"It's not like that!" Xin Yi quickly explains. "Dad, Mom, please don't misunderstand him. He's really not that type of person. He's very nice and has helped me a lot. He…"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"You're even speaking up for that guy!" Hu Yuan can't stand it and retrieves the cane by himself to start hitting his daughter.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It is painful but Xin Yi doesn't dare to hide. She kneels there silently, enduring all the anger of her father.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"You still refuse to reveal who he is? Fine, I'll hit you again!" Seeing that Hu Yuan's cane is going to hit her again, a figure ducks in from the open doors of the Chen Family and blocks the cane.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Stop!"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's Ji Cun Xi! Xin Yi opens her eyes in shock.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hu Yuan glares at him. "Who are you? What does me punishing my daughter has anything to do with you?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Of course it's related to me, because…" Ji Cun Xi stands in his original position, speaking honestly. He has not planned on running inside, but fate has destined that he will walk past the Chen Family and also destined that he will hear of Xin Yi being punished, destined that he will speak up for her. Being a gentleman, how can he abandon her to her fate? "I'm the father of the baby," he admitted.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What?! You're..." Hu Yuan and Xi Shi stare at each other and give Cun Xi a look-over. The more they look, the madder they get.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This man who's entirely wet, has a hole in his suit, has flour in his hair and looks very pathetic is actually the culprit for their daughter's pregnancy?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Goodness gracious! What had their daughter seen in such a man? Was she blind?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Xin Yi!" Xi Shi screams. "Are you trying to anger us to death?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">---------------------------------</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After the Chen Family scolds Cun Xi, they lock him inside the garage.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Kid. You don't have any money or items to pawn, it's already very nice of us to keep you for a night! I've already called your grandma. She's coming over by boat tomorrow morning to pick you up. We'll deal with the pregnancy matter tomorrow!" Hu Yuan slams the garage door and locks it.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi stands in the dark garage by himself. There are random items scattered around the room and even spider webs on the wall. The room is full except for the space that he is standing at. There isn't even space for him to lie down. He is speechless and really wants to scream at heaven.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He, Ji Cun Xi, the Chairman of Magical Enterprise is actually being forced to sleep in this dirty garage without even a bed and blanket?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This… is ridiculous! Since he have bought over the factory on Jiang Mu Island, his life seems to have turned into a ridiculous drama and all the unbelievable scenes are being acted out without his consent. He, the main lead, can only stand on stage in shock.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Crazy, too crazy! Cun Xi thinks angrily. He sits down on a row of boxes in frustration and because his clothes are not fully dry and he doesn't have the chance for a shower, he can only hug himself tightly to stay warm.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He misses his strawberry blanket.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Although the blanket is just a small and thin one, it is a gift from his mother. It has accompanied him since he was a child. Even that one time when he was kidnapped, it was because he had the strawberry blanket with him to hold on tightly to that he managed to have the courage to not cry and cause a scene. He was able to wait patiently for his parents and grandma to come save him. When Mom and Dad went away, he hugged the blanket and kept waiting until Grandma told him that they had gone to heaven and won't be coming back.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At that time, he felt that he had been abandoned and was mad and revengeful. He threw his strawberry blanket into the dustbin wilfully but ended up secretly picking it back in the middle of the night, crying and apologizing to his parents while washing it clean.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Even now, he still needs that blanket in order to sleep.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A cynical smile forms on Cun Xi’s face as he thinks of that. He has never dared to tell anyone, even Anna, about this embarrassing matter. If she ever knows of it, she'll definitely look down on him…</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Ji Cun Xi, are you there?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The timid voice that calls out for him draws him back from his midst of thoughts. He concentrates and hears voices coming from the garage door. After that, Xin Yi pushes the door open and walks in.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi glares at her. "What are you here for?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I…" she stammers, caught off guard. "I figured that you probably haven't eaten so I brought supper for you as well as a blanket." While talking, she turns around and drags in a big plastic bag from outside. Inside, there is a blanket and a straw mat. She lays the straw mat on the floor to act as a mattress. "So that you can sleep better tonight."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi watches her actions coldly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"You're very angry right?" She holds out a bun to him apologetically. "I'm sorry. I dragged you down into the waters with me, causing you to be scolded by my parents."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi ignores the bun. "Why are you apologizing again? This incident isn't your fault!"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"But if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have been locked here. I'm sorry that you have to put up with such circumstances!" She apologizes again.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Why doesn't this lady ever listen? Apologizing every now and then, she has no personality! No wonder she's often bullied!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi chews on the meat bun and gives Xin Yi a glance over, looking at her from head to toe and back from toe to head. She has put on her black-framed spectacles again and looks like a countryside lady, lacking attractiveness. He sighs. "Didn't I give you a pair of contact lenses? Why aren't you using it? Look at you! The way you're dressed is very unattractive and definitely old-fashioned!"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I'm old-fashioned?" Xin Yi blurs and looks at him. "But you… aren't much better."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hearing that, Cun Xi almost chokes on the bun that he is chewing on. "sh*t!" he swears. She is right. His pathetic state is not much different from hers. "Why did I end up here?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"It's all because of me walking into the wrong bedroom on the cruise, I'm sor…"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Not again, she's going to apologize again! "Shut up!" he stops her with annoyance. "I've said before. You don't have to apologize to me."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Oh, sor…" Xin Yi starts apologizing out of habit again but stops herself in mid-sentence when she realizes what is wrong.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi starts laughing when he sees her poor "I was caught doing the wrong thing" look. "You! Your worst shortcoming is that you have absolutely no confidence. What are you usually doing?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I…" Xin Yi thinks. "Reading romance novels, knitting, auctioning online…"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Enough! Why does all that sound like something female otaku would do? Can't you do anything meaningful at all?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I…" Xin Yi's face turns red. "I liked art a lot when I was young," she points at the pottery showcased on the shelf on the wall.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"You made these?" Cun Xi grabs one randomly and examines it closely. "It's quite good! My grandma likes making pottery too, if you have the chance to meet her, the two of you will definitely have lots of fun chatting."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Really?" What is his grandma like? She can't help but anticipate. But on afterthought, she drops her anticipation. No matter what type of person his grandma is, she will definitely not have the chance to meet her.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What is this?" Cun Xi picks a rectangular pottery and blows away the layer of dust on top.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"That's…" Xin Yi's heart skips a beat. She immediately stretches out her hand to snatch the box back. "Don't look at it!"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Her strong reaction makes him even more curious and he continues asking, "What is this?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"It's… a wish box."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Wish box?" Cun Xi's eyebrows go up. Catching Xin Yi off guard, he grabs back the box and opens it. Inside, there are pieces of sticky note and scrawled on them are small messy words. "The teacher doesn't call me, someone will do classroom cleaning duty with me, and someone will remember my birthday…" he slowly reads out all her wishes.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"When playing hide-and-seek, they will find me before going home and not forget me every time…" He suddenly stops and stares at Xin Yi, whose face is already as red as a tomato.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Was she always forgotten? Even when playing hide-and-seek with her friends, she would get abandoned in some small corner?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi's eyebrows knit together again and an unknown feeling sprouts in his chest. He looks at the last note and slowly reads, "Meet someone whom I can love and who loves me back."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Stop reading!" Xin Yi finally protests and grabs back the box.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He smiles at her. "The last wish, it's the same as mine."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Really?" She is shocked and her eyes lights up.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I almost got my wish," he says mutely. "But she flew to another far away place again."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi hears him and her heart sinks. Her eyes darkens. How can she have forgotten? He has a very outstanding girlfriend! "Are you angry at her for choosing the stage instead of you?" she asks tentatively.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi is surprise. After a second, he shakes his head. "I can never be angry at Anna." He sounds helpless. "During her first public performance, she fell on stage. But she didn't panic. She got up and continued dancing. What I love about her is her hardworking and never give up attitude. I clearly know that she loves ballet so how can I get mad at her for choosing the stage?" While speaking, he takes out a small ballet shoe keychain from his pocket and starts playing around with it mindlessly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That must be a present from Anna, right? Xin Yi thinks enviously. She can feel the deep love he has for his girlfriend and that makes her more depressed.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Aicho!" he suddenly sneezes.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She blinks. "Are you okay? You didn't catch a cold, did you?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"It's nothing. I'm probably just allergic to something," he shakes his head, not willing to appear weak.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Cover yourself with the blanket!" she drags him to sit down on the straw mat and starts clumsily covering him with the blanket. Noticing that his hair is half wet, her eyebrows knits together. Two seconds later, she brightens. "Oh, there might be a hair-dryer in here somewhere." She walks to the corner and starts digging through the boxes for the hair-dryer and indeed, she finds a small hair-dryer.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Dry your hair. If you don't do it before you sleep, you will have a headache."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Never mind." He waves his hands. "This is nothing. It'll dry by itself soon."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"No!" she is adamant and plucks in the power pug. "Sit over here. I'll help you blow your hair." While speaking, her hands starts fiddling with his hair, combing through it cleverly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What is she doing? His thoughts start to wander. Her hand's movements are really gentle, and is going through his hair very nimbly, like a spell cast. It ruffles not only his hair but also his heart.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's weird. He knows he should object to it but somehow his tense shoulders start to relax and he begins to enjoy himself.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Ji Cun Xi, you… don't want the child right?" she questions quietly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He is surprised. After a moment, he replies mutely, "It's not that I don't want to bear responsibility. I already have a girlfriend. I cannot let her down."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I know."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Also, frankly speaking, we're like two strangers. Our lives should not have such entanglement. Your life should not be messed up by this child too," he analyzes.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Yeah, you're right," she agreed. "Tomorrow I… will go to the hospital for abortion."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"That's the best," he lets out a sigh of relief. He suddenly feels that at the back of his neck, a drop of water drips down. Is that her tears? He suspects it but doesn't have the courage to turn back. He can't let himself become soft-hearted, he definitely can't!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Okay. It's dry now." After she has completed the task, Xin Yi switches off the hairdryer and purposely fakes a light tone. "Go sleep. I'm going back." She stands up.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Let her walk off just like that? Cun Xi stares at her and suddenly feels reluctant to let her go. "Stay and accompany me!" he demands.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What?" she is shocked.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Didn't you say that you caused me to end up in this lousy storeroom? If that's the case, you should stay and accompany me through this disaster." he finds a childish excuse.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She knits her eyebrows and examines him. "But didn't you say that this isn't my fault and I shouldn't apologise?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Her one sentence leaves him speechless and he can only glare at her angrily.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Her heartbeat speeds up due to his stare and she reluctantly gives in. "Okay okay. I will stay to accompany you. So what shall we do now?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-------------------------------------</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">They talks for the most of the night. From his career that is at the apex, her pure and sincere dream, their embarrassing childhood moments. Finally, maybe because it is so late, Cun Xi starts to wander. He reveals to Xin Yi the embarrassing fact that he cannot sleep without his strawberry blanket. She listens to him and although she finds it funny, she still starts to sing bedtime songs to help him fall asleep.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He drops off but she can't. When the sun starts to rise, she gets up and leaves silently. She makes her way to the small hospital on the island alone, prepared to go for abortion.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi thinks that she only needs the doctor's approval but it turns out that the father of the baby needs to agree too. She is at a loss when Cun Xi suddenly appears.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Why did you come here alone?" he reprimands her softly. "Didn't we agree to go through this together?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"But…" Xin Yi stares at him sadly. She doesn't want him to see her break down! She has the premonition that when the baby is being aborted, she will definitely cry.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Sir, please sign here." The nurse hands Cun Xi an agreement form for the operation. He holds the pen in his hand but can't get himself to sign it.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The old doctor standing at the side sees his hesitation and suggests kindly, "Before we carry out the operation, let's do an ultrasound scan first."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And thus, Xin Yi ends up lying on the bed in the medical room, having the doctor doing an ultrasound scan for her. Cun Xi watches nervously. Soon, a small foetus-like shape appears on the screen.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"This is your baby." The doctor smiles. "Do you hear that? That's the sound of his heartbeat."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Heartbeat? Xin Yi and Cun Xi look at each other in unison. The baby's so small and there's already a heartbeat?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bong bong bong… The faint heartbeat sound beats strongly against their heart.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is the baby! Their future child! A brand new life.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi chokes and tears flow down silently. Cun Xi watches her eyes turn red and can't help himself from reaching out his hands.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Their two hands come together and hold each other tightly. The hands are trembling but it conveys their emotions to each other…</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-----------------------------</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What did you say? Xin Yi secretly went to pick out the baby?" Xi Shi shouts at the phone. "Great. Our dumb daughter. She dare return home!" she declares angrily and slams the phone down. "Old man, old man! Did you hear that? Xin Yi went for an abortion!"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What? Abortion?" The one who answers isn't Hu Yuan but an old woman who, since no idea when, has been standing at the door. She is wearing and hanging jewellery all over her and has an air of richness. However, her face shows shock and panic. "Did you say that our Ji Family's precious great grandson is being removed?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Who are you?" Xi Shi demands.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I'm Cun Xi's grandmother. I'm called Ji Zhen Zhu." Grandma Zhen Zhu walks forward to shakes Xi Shi's hand. "You called me last night saying that my grandson's here. Remember?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Oh. You're the grandma of that stupid kid!" Xi Yi is confused. Zhen Zhu's body is covered with shining jewellery. "Weird. Isn't your family very poor?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Poor?" Zhen Zhu blinks her eyes and looks from her two tall and muscular bodyguards to the posh and long car parked outside. This kind of entrance is considered poor?</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Wait! You said that your surname is Ji? Your grandson is Ji Cun Xi?" Xi Shi thinks everything through and finally understands the huge mistake she has made. "Isn't Ji Cun Xi the president of some Magical Enterprise?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wrong wrong wrong! How could she have been so stupid? She has actually treated the rich god like a germ? Xi Shi regrets it. Realising that the father of her daughter's baby is actually the heir of a large enterprise, her sharp eyes starts to shine money signs.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Let's not discuss this now!" Zhen Zhu hurriedly pulls back her line of thought. "Didn't you just say that your daughter is going for an abortion? How can that happen! Our Ji Family has only had a single line of heir for many generations. I've finally gotten my precious great grandson! Quick! Bring me to the hospital! We must stop her!"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And thus, Xi Shi ends up in Zhen Zhu's posh car which speeds to the hospital. The moment the car stops, they see Ji Cun Xi carrying Xin Yi out.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's over! Her daughter's chance of marrying into the rich has been destroyed just like that? Xi Shi thinks…</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's over! Her wishes of having a great grandson still can't be fulfilled? Zhen Zhu thinks…</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The two of them dash towards them in unison and ask, "Where's the baby?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"The baby…" Ji Cun Xi and Xin Yi look at each other awkwardly and after a short silent moment, finally answer slowly. "We've decided to keep the baby."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes! If her daughter marries into a rich family and becomes the lady of the family, she will be a rich mother-in-law too! Xi Shi is delighted.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes! Great-grandson will report to the family as usual and the Ji Family line will continue! Zhen Zhu is delighted.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The two of them order in unison, "Get married immediately!"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">----------------------------------</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Not wanting to delay things and under Xi Shi and Zhen Zhu's strict orders, the new couple is sent to Jiang Mu Island's one and only small wedding church and has an official ceremony.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Of course Cun Xi is unhappy but Zhen Zhu says that she is getting old and she really wants to carry her great grandson soon. Also, will he be able to live with his conscience if he makes the other party become an unwed mother who has to bear with all the gossip and finger pointing of the islanders? Seeing that he is still reluctant, she resorts to threatening to let Anna know of all the details.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cun Xi is angry and frustrated but there is little that he can do.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi understands his reluctance and takes initiative to express that she does not want to marry into the Ji Family. However, Xi Shi immediately slaps her and scolds her for not feeling ashamed of herself! Seeing that Xin Yi is being blame, Cun Xi changes his mind and agrees to the wedding.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The last to object is Hu Yuan. They want him to just open his arms and let his precious daughter be "given" to someone else? He definitely objects to that. Then Grandma Zhen Zhu grandly declares that no one will be retrenched from the factory and all the islanders start to thank her and treat her as a goddess. Under their pressure, Hu Yuan can only nod his head in agreement.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Finally, after all the troubles, the ceremony starts and the islanders clap enthusiastically. Zhen Zhu and Xi Shi are both smiling brightly.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The ceremony ends and Zhen Zhu invites everyone on the island to a restaurant to eat seafood. The crowd all leave happily, leaving the two newly weds together and staring at each other in confusion.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi catches sight of Cun Xi's angry face and bows her head down apologetically. "I'm sorry."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Why are you apologizing again?" Before her apology, everything has been still fine but once he hears her apology, he starts to get mad. "You were also forced into this. How can this thing be blamed on you?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But if she isn't to blame, then who is? Xin Yi asks herself. She understands how reluctant he has been in marrying her. He must be thinking of Anna right now.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Actually you… didn't need to agree to the wedding." She murmurs. "I can learn to take care of the baby by myself."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"But can you manage it?" he asks coldly. "You can't even keep your own life in order so how can you take care of the baby?"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Xin Yi hears and cowers in shame.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Also, how can I let my baby's mother walk outside and be ridiculed?" he adds in angrily.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That is the main reason why he has agreed to marry her right? Because he can't bear for her to have to endure the weird looks of the society. Xin Yi looks at Cun Xi secretly and can't help feeling touched—He might look cold on the outside, but he's actually a very warm and gentle man.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Thank you," this time, she doesn't apologize but thanks him instead.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He seems even angrier though and turns to glare at her. "Thank you for what?" he reprimands after a pause. "This is only temporary. After you give birth to the baby, we'll divorce."</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What?" she is shocked.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Don't worry. I will give you a huge sum of money at that time. Take it as your alimony."</span></span><br /></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-78271512006847258242008-06-04T18:57:00.001+08:002008-06-05T19:52:53.566+08:00Chapter 2<div style="text-align: justify;">[Translated by <b>tammiest</b>]<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >“Father, I have sinned. I have gotten pregnant out of wedlock, and everyone has found out! Oh, God!”</span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Father John seems a little different today… but, this precious young life within me… I want to do my very best to protect him, bless him, make sure that he won’t be bullied as I was…</i></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">However, the priest who follows XinYi out of the confessional is actually a young man with a gentle smile on his face…</i></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After the love cruise, XinYi returned to her daily, routine life: at work, she was still that convenient Sticky-Note girl, ordered about by boss and colleagues alike. However, instead of complaining or even feeling resentful, XinYi “accepted” her fate and resigned herself to fulfilling each and every one of their unreasonable requests, even feeling quite happy as she did it.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Because, in her heart, there was a sweet new secret: she had met a prince, and he had given her one magical, dream-like night, comforting her in the aftermath of her heartbreak and making her feel less unwanted.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She had carefully hidden the “lucky” poker chip he’d given her in the lucky charm she’d made herself. She brought it with her everywhere she went, wearing it close to her heart.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She knew that it was probably unlikely that she’d ever have the chance to meet that proud, arrogant, and yet—so gentle—prince again, but it didn’t matter… he would always be in her memories, and she would always remember what he’d said to her…</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”XinYi, why are you just staring into space?” The female colleague in the cubicle next to hers asked her. “Your cellphone is ringing!”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”My cellphone? Oh; thank you.” She came back to life and hurriedly picked up. “Wei?”*</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">* Wei means “hello;” it is used specifically as a greeting over the phone.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”XinYi? This is your brother-in-law.” Wu QiQi’s loud and boisterous voice boomed over the line.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Brother-in-law, what happened?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Nothing, really; I just wanted to ask you... err, after 'that' day... have you been okay?" There was a note of embarrassment in Wu QiQi's voice.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Mm, I'm really well." Aside from feeling a little under the weather and, occasionally, queasy and like throwing up in recent days, that is.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Is that true?" Wu QiQi was skeptical. "You were violated by that good-for-nothing bastard, and you actually feel 'really well'?"</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"He's not a good-for-nothing jerk," XinYi protested, frowning. "He's actually a pretty nice guy... otherwise, he wouldn't have let you guys off so easily." Considering what the Wu father and son had done, they would have been taken to the police station long ago—if it hadn't been for CunXi.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Che! Don't be fooled. He was probably just afraid that news of the layoffs would leak out and hurt the reputation of his precious company, Magical Enterprise!”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”He’s said already that business is business. He’s not purposely being hard on you guys.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”What’s wrong with you?” Wu QiQi yelled at her in dissatisfaction. “Didn’t that guy only sleep with you? Don’t tell me he’s also brainwashed you! Every sentence out of your mouth is in defense of him; are you even a woman of our Jiang Mu Island any more? Traitor!”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Traitor? XinYi was taken aback. This charge was a little too heavy, wasn’t it?</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Forget it! I was just asking whether or not you… it’s best if you aren’t! If that bastard actually dared to leave his seed behind, I’d have to fight him to the death!” After finishing his piece, Wu QiQi hung up in a fit of rage.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What is he talking about? XinYi was puzzled. Why had her brother-in-law called her, anyway?</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The female colleague in the cubicle next to hers yelled for her, pulling her out of her revelry. “XinYi, help me make some copies of this file, okay? I need it for the meeting that’s coming up; make ten copies.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Oh, okay.” She took the documents from her and made her way to the copier. She was accosted by several of her colleagues—all with demands—along the way.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”XinYi, file these for me.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”XinYi, you’re going out for lunch today, right? Bring me back a bian dang*, okay?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">* Bian Dang: It’s basically take-out, a boxed lunch. The ones in Taiwan are typically pretty elaborate and filling.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”I want one, too! Also, a Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Okay, okay; tell me one by one, okay?” There were simply too many demands from her co-workers; XinYi couldn’t possibly remember them all; hurriedly, she took out a pad of Post-It notes to record their requests. Perhaps, there were too many tasks, after all—she felt dizzy. A wave of nausea and acid came up her throat; she immediately rushed to the women’s room and dry-heaved at the sink.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What’s wrong, XinYi?” A female colleague walked into the bathroom and asked, smiling, “You’ve been feeling queasy these past few days… you’re not pregnant, are you?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Her colleague had meant only to tease her, but XinYi stared in shock. She thought of her brother-in-law’s concerned phone call; the last sentence out of his mouth—“ If that bastard actually dared to leave his seed behind”—it wasn’t possible, right?</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">XinYi’s eyes became large with fear. Was she really pregnant?</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">__________</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Rather than waste any more time, XinYi went by herself to the local convenience store during her lunch break and bought a self-pregnancy test. It was drizzling outside, and XinYi, afraid that she’d be recognized by any of her colleagues, put on a raincoat, a safety helmet, and even a breathing mask. She furtively made her way into the store, purchased her self-pregnancy test, and left, looking nervously all around her as she went.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She had no idea that her clothes and nervous movements, along with the guilty expression on her face, made her seem extremely suspicious to several of the undercover cops who were stationed nearby. They followed her discreetly, keeping contact with each other via walkie-talkie.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Without suspecting a thing, she nervously hurried into her work building and ducked into the restroom.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The undercover police officers followed. Next, a reporters’ van from a TV station pulled up to the building. The reporter had somehow managed to intercept the messages between the police officers and was puffed up with pride at the prospect of a firsthand “exclusive” news report.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After exchanging a few hand signals, several of the police officers charged into the ladies’ room. Covered by the rest of the officers, one officer kicked open the door of a locked stall.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Ah!” XinYi screamed in panic. At a loss, she could only stare at the big, strong officer who had kicked down the door. “What… what… what do you want?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“You are under arrest!” The large man brought out a pair of handcuffs and, expressionless, slapped them onto her wrists.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What was going on? XinYi wanted desperately to cry, but she had no tears.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The worst was yet to come, however. As she was dragged out of the restroom by the officer, a bright light suddenly flashed before her face. A TV camera was furiously rolling, and an excited reporter shoved a microphone into her face, shouting, “Miss, how do you feel about being arrested? What are you thinking right now?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">__________</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He was in a terrible mood, a fiery mood; he really wanted to find something—anything—and beat it.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“What did you say? Why can’t you come back to Taiwan?” Ji CunXi slammed on the brakes and pulled his beloved car to the side of the road. He glared at the screen of his cellphone, where the charming, lovely face of his girlfriend, Shi Anna appeared.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Oh, CunXi, don’t be angry!” Anna pleaded with him sweetly. “I know that you’re angry because I accepted the offer from the New York Ballet Company so suddenly, but… just think of me for a second. I’ll be performing Swan Lake at the Lincoln Center! How could I possibly pass up such an incredible opportunity? They wanted me to sign a two-year contract, and I could only agree.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“So you just decided to leave me in Taiwan by myself for two years?” The expression on CunXi’s face was extremely dark; he was in a very bad mood. “What do you take me for?” Standing him up without a word, deciding to leave Taiwan for two years without discussing it with him. “From the past until now, you’ve only cared about yourself. Have you ever thought about what I wanted?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Of course I have!” Anna’s large eyes winked and winked at him, the expression on her face extremely cute. “And you’ve already got it!”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">CunXi frowned. “What is it?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”My heart, of course!” Anna looked at him positively. “I love you, CunXi.” She declared this in a soft, gentle voice and leaned toward the camera, her pretty pink lips blowing him a kiss. “Even though I’m not by your side, my heart is still with you all the time… crying with you and laughing with you… it will always be with you.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Anna.” CunXi let out a sigh, feeling helpless. Why was it that he could never stay angry with this woman? He knew full well that she was only using sweet, honeyed words, but he could still feel the tug on his heartstrings. “Have you ever considered that, without you by my side, I might reach out to embrace another woman in my loneliness?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anna laughed lightly. “Other men might, perhaps… but the Ji CunXi who loves me so deeply… he would never do so.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Could she really control him so easily? CunXi was annoyed. “Do you really understand me so well? Perhaps, one day, when you finally turn around, I will already be gone.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Well, if that’s the case, I’d better… “ Anna sighed deeply, “take the early flight tomorrow morning and return to you immediately!”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Upon seeing her forlorn expression, CunXi felt his heart soften. The Anna that he loved was a born superstar, meant to be on stage and admired by all. How could he possibly bear to deprive her of fulfilling her dreams? “Forget it; just stay in New York,” he yielded.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Thank you, CunXi!” Anna gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you for being willing to compromise. That means that I hold a very important position in your heart!” She paused. “Did you know that, when ballerinas perform pirouettes, we must first fix our eyes on a certain target. No matter how we spin, we must never let our eyes leave that spot—otherwise, we will fall easily. The first time I met you… it was because I let my eyes leave my target… and I fell. It was you who brought me flowers after the show and encouraged me to stand up and try again. CunXi, ever since that day… I’ve never fallen again… because I’ve found my real target in life: you. No matter where I am, no matter how I turn, my eyes will always be fixed on you.” This passionate confession moved CunXi.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He gave a long, drawn-out sigh. “Okay; I wish you luck. Jiayou!”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After hanging up with Anna, CunXi sat inside the car for a while, absentmindedly looking out the window at the passing pedestrians.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The woman he loved had left him again. Although it was only for a short two years, he still felt a little lonely. The feeling of waiting… it wasn’t easy. He had experienced it before; when he was young, he had once waited diligently for his traveling parents to return home… he had waited until Grandma honestly told him that they had already gone on to heaven and would never come back again. To be honest, he was afraid of waiting. He hated being left behind… and yet, it seemed that he was always being left behind.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There was a sudden noise outside the window, startling him out of his thoughts. He forced himself to come back to reality, then noticed that a crowd had gathered on the streets. They were pointing at the large television screen and whispering to each other.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Taiwanese just love to stick their nose into other people’s business!</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He shook his head. Just as he was about to turn on his car and leave, he suddenly glimpsed a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye. His eyebrows rose in shock.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wasn’t that Chen XinYi? What was she doing on television? His eyes glued to the screen intensely, he watched the very confused, lost, and pale XinYi as she held a pregnancy test in one of her shaking hands… it couldn’t be possible, right?</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">CunXi shuddered suddenly. She was pregnant? And she’d let everybody find out about it?</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He had a sudden, uneasy feeling and broke out in a cold sweat. Who was the father of that child? It couldn’t possibly be… him, right?</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">__________</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The father of her child is Ji CunXi, the prince of her dreams, of her ideals... the prince who would never want to marry her.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Chen XinYi! You big fool! Pregnant out of wedlock? And you got yourself and your embarrassing situation into the news? You’re really done for!”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">XinYi really wanted to slam her head into a wall; sure enough, her life was still miserable. She’d originally thought that meeting a prince could bring a little luck her way, but, instead, he’d left her with a huge problem.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What should she do now? XinYi wondered to herself. Not wanting to return to the office and face the laughter of her co-workers just yet, XinYi had hastily requested for a day off. In the course of her aimless wandering, she found herself in front of the St. John’s Home, where she had previously worked as a volunteer.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This particular orphanage was run by a Catholic priest named John. She had met her first boyfriend here; even after he had dumped her, she still came back often to help out with some of the errands and to play with the children.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Under Father John’s influence, XinYi also became a Catholic. Occasionally, when she was feeling particularly worried or concerned, she would come to the Home to seek the advice of the priests there. However, her troubles this time were so serious… how could she speak up about them?</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“XinYi Mama, you’ve finally come to see us! Quickly, come here and show us how to make these model sculptures!” The children, completely unsuspecting of XinYi’s inner turmoil, were extremely happy to see her, pulling her with them to the back of the Home to play with the clay.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">XinYi had liked to work with clay since she was a child; the children at the orphanage also loved the cute little clay dolls that she would make them. Unfortunately, XinYi wasn’t really in the mood to play with the children today.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I’m sorry; can I teach you another day?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“No! It has to be now!” the children insisted. “XinYi Mama doesn’t come to see us very often; play with us!”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Another child chimed in, “Yes, XinYi Mama! Teach us how to make model sculptures!”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The cries of “XinYi Mama! XinYi Mama!” from the children only served to perplex XinYi further. She wasn’t anybody’s mother yet… in fact, her own life was in a mess; how was she to raise a child? She was so afraid… she couldn’t have this child! But… how could she abort the child? There was a little life inside her…</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Where is Father John?” XinYi asked the children.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“I think he’s in the confessional!”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The confessional? Perfect. She desperately needed to make a confession.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Wait for me for a while, okay? It’ll only be a little bit. I’ll come back later to play with you?” XinYi used a gentle voice to soothe the children. Without waiting for their chime of agreement, she rushed toward the confessional.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It looked like a middle-aged woman had just finished and was leaving the confessional, satisfied. XinYi opened the door and stepped inside. She could barely make out the moving outline of a person through the black curtain hanging in the confessional. Taking a deep breath, she said,</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Father, I have sinned.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The person on the other side of the curtain seemed to stiffen. After a slight pause, a deep, raspy voice asked, “What is your sin?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”I… “ XinYi, sitting on the tiny bench, twisted her hands in her lap nervously. “Father, don’t be too shocked… I… I am pregnant.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The other person was silent.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">XinYi thought that the kindly old Father John had been shocked into silence. She hurried to explain, “I really didn’t mean for this to happen! I don’t even know how I wound up in bed with that man… or how we could possibly ‘get it in one shot’! I… I… aiii, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have acted so impulsively that day and signed up for a love cruise, of all things. In the end, not only was I dumped, but I was also left with a huge debt and… “ The story came out in a messy, unorganized rush, without any details or sequencing.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After she’d finished her speech, the other person was silent for a long time before offering his opinion: “This is the strangest story I’ve ever heard.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Was he making fun of her? XinYi was confused; she thought she had heard a bit of humor in the voice of the man. Did even Father John not sympathize with her?</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She was on the verge of going crazy. Panicked and confused, her feelings pent up inside her for too long—“Father, I know that I’m very stupid, but please… don’t make fun of me.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”I’m sorry.” He coughed twice. “So then… what do you plan to do?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”I… “ XinYi paused. She suddenly felt that there was something wrong. “Father, is there something wrong with your voice?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”It’s nothing.” He coughed twice again. “It’s just that my throat doesn’t feel very well.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Is it a cold? Have you gone to see the doctor yet?” XinYi asked anxiously.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”I’m fine.” The man was amused. This girl was certainly unique… although she had plenty of troubles herself, she still found the time to worry over others? “You should think about what you’re going to do next.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”I… I really don’t know.” XinYi was at a loss. “Father, please tell me… what should I do?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”This… hmm… if you ask me, an abortion is your best option.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”What?!” XinYi asked in shock. She couldn’t believe that Father John could make such a suggestion to her! An abortion? Wasn’t that strictly against the teachings of the Catholic Church? “Father… didn’t you say… that every child is a gift from God… every child is a precious life!”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Did I? I said this?” he muttered to himself in confusion. “But… if you don’t get an abortion, are you really going to give birth to the child? Can you raise him by yourself?”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”I… I probably can’t.” XinYi had very little confidence in herself.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Then, get rid of it.”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”No! How can I do that?” XinYi protested immediately. “This child’s life is precious! No matter what, he’s still my child… although I don’t know whether his appearance is lucky or unlucky… but, if I were to give birth to him, I would definitely try my hardest to love him and bring him up well. I would give him all the best! I would protect him; I wouldn’t let anyone make fun of him or bully him!” That’s right; she wouldn’t let anybody treat him like that! All of the wrongs, all of the injustices and hurts she’d suffered as a child… she’d never let her child go through the same experiences!</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”I want to love him properly, give him all of my love… I want to tell him that he is the best, the best… my most precious treasure… “ XinYi’s voice trailed off as her eyes filled with tears and a sob came up her throat.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How could she reject her own baby? How could she abandon her own flesh and blood? She understood the feeling of being abandoned more than anyone else…</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Father, I really can’t get an abortion just like that… I… I need some more time to think about this.” After finishing her piece, she brushed away her tears and left the confesionnal in a rush.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After a while, a man came out of the other side of the confessional. He was not whom XinYi had assumed—the old, kindly Father John. Instead, he was a handsome, dashing, and debonair young man.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ponderingly. he watched XinYi’s back as she disappeared from sight, a slight, gentle smile tugging at the corner of his lips.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">”Dylan Papa, you were here all along? I was looking for you for a long time!” A little boy suddenly appeared out of nowhere, clutching at his leg. “Hurry; XinYi Mama is here! I want to introduce you guys!”</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">__________</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At the same time that XinYi was in a whirl over her new slew of problems, CunXi was staring at his own problem, brought to him in an express mail delivery.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It was a computer disk. It contained photos of him and Chen XinYi tangled together in bed. It had come, obviously, from the Wu father and son. The motive behind its delivery, of course, was to blackmail him into not laying off any of the factory workers.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Had the father-son pair seriously not done enough yet? CunXi felt both angry and helpless at the same time. He had never met anyone so ruthless in “battle” before! They could actually use a disk containing compromising photos of the younger sister of their daughter-in-law and wife, respectively, as blackmail material! Did they really think that putting a mosaic over the woman’s face would solve everything? If this were actually leaked or released to the public, those people who are always spoiling for a scandal would no doubt be able to find out the identity of the “anonymous” woman in the photos.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Were they really not afraid that Chen XinYi would be hurt by this? Or did they just not care?</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So stupid. Why was it that everyone around that girl was only looking to use her? He thought these people were not worth her time.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The more CunXi thought about it, the more angry and indignant he became. He decided to go to Jiang Mu Island, obtain the original files, and put a complete end to this ridiculous layoff “argument”!</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" > </span><br /></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670925723123798786.post-68971549275054355742008-06-04T18:51:00.007+08:002008-06-06T00:32:59.295+08:00Chapter 1 - Destiny’s Chip<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Translated by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">meosles</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">[Edited by </span><b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Beauty_Karova</b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">]</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" >Maybe with all this arrangement, their fate may be tied together forever.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Gentle and without temper, this ordinary girl is like water that is plain and appears inconspicuous. Regardless of whether she is at fault, she will always apologize to the other party first. This girl will finally meet the prince of her dreams this day—but why do things turn out so differently from what she imagined?</i><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Wu~~</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The pipes blew. A luxury cruise is parked at the harbor. The white ship is floating on the blue sea like a graceful swam.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >This is a "love boat" which is about to start the two days one night romantic journey soon. Regardless of whether you are out of love, passionately in love or seeking love, everybody is smiling brightly. They secretly hope to have their own romantic encounter on this short journey.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Chen Xin Yi, nicknamed "sticky note girl", is one of them. Even though she is plain, has an ordinary background and even a commonplace name that causes a dozen people to turn around when called, she can still indulge in the fantasy of being Cinderella who will one day meet a price who dotes on her like a princess. If possible, she hopes that this fated prince will be her current boyfriend—Gucci.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Gucci, Gucci wait for me!" She keeps calling for her boyfriend while carrying many bags and trying to get through the crowd. But he walks very fast and his footsteps never slow down for her.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Like all her previous boyfriends, they always walk at their own pace leaving her flustered and chasing after them. But this time, she is determined to catch up with him. Otherwise her taking the pinch and paying for the expensive trip will be meaningless.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >After some difficulty, she finally sees her boyfriend’s back. Just as delight comes to her, a stylish black car suddenly appears and nearly knocks her down. She steps back in fright and her spectacles fall down.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Ah! Where are my specs?" Xin Yi hastily hunts for it on the ground. Without her spectacles, she is as blind as a bat.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >A moment later, she finally finds it. But when she reaches out her hand to get it, the door of the black car opens and a pair of feet wearing black leather shoes step out and walks on it without mercy.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Ah~~my specs!"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The loud cry of despair causes the man who came out of the car to frown. He looks down and sees the shattered spectacles, picks it up and then walks towards Xin Yi holding out his hand towards her.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi stares at the big hand in a daze and then looks up to see a face covered in sunlight. She can’t see him clearly but her chest suddenly gives a beat. She hesitantly puts her small hand on that big palm. The man pulls her up and holds her in his arms using one hand. The other hand puts the spectacles on her.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >As the band plays and the flowers floats down, Xin Yi falls into a daydream. Is this the fated encounter between the prince and princess that she hoped for? A tall, handsome, gentle and considerate prince...</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Don’t drop your spectacles on the ground next time, this is very dangerous!" The prince doesn’t apologize but rebukes her instead.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Ah?" Xin Yi is startled and immediately falls back into reality. She blinks her eyes and looks at her shattered vision through the broken glasses—this prince is not gentle and he is so proud that he doesn’t give her a second look.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Accompanied by his assistant, he coldly talks with the captain. The captain bows as if he is receiving an important person and welcomes him onto the ship.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Hmm. What’s so great about him?" Xin Yi wonders bluntly.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >At this moment, an impatient Gucci finally appears. "Chen Xin Yi, how long do you plan to dally? Go on the ship!"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >--------------------------------------</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Room 306.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The prince in Xin Yi’s eyes is standing alone in a room. The room’s decorations—antique four poster bed, princess floor curtains, rose petals scattered across the bed and flowers spread all around the room, giving off a slight flagrance. On the tea stand there's bottle of a vintage red wine, "La Romance Conti", which was his girlfriend’s favorite and matches her status of a premier ballet dancer.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He smiles slightly and ray of sunlight breaks through his cold handsome countenance. In an instant, he shines like the sun god.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He is Ji Cun Xi, the director of "Magical Enterprise" that produces the daily products used by Taiwanese people. He was born as a prince, with the looks of a prince and the personality of a prince. He is high and above, aloof and apart from the crowd. The only people he cares about are his granny and girlfriend Anna Shi. Beautiful and graceful, Anna is the woman he loves most in this world.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Tonight, he has planned everything with care as he is about to propose to his girlfriend.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He carefully takes up the ring box and practices his proposal speech— "I love everything about you. So Anna, will you marry me?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >---------------------------------------</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I am willing! Gucci, I am willing to give everything to you."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >At room 309, Xin Yi hugs a sexy night gown and speaks shyly to the empty air.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Tonight, she plans to give herself to Gucci. She knows that he is actually someone with strong needs. In the past, he has made every effort to restrain himself for her. But it doesn’t matter now. Tonight he doesn’t have to contain himself anymore. She is ready to give herself to him totally. She believes that this will change the slowly chilling relationship between the two of them.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi smiles as she meditates and continues to tidy her luggage. Gucci has already gone to the casino. She will look for him later on. They will definitely have a wonderful night...</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Ha Chu!" Xin Yi suddenly sneezes. She has a runny nose and an itchy throat. Since yesterday, she has been feeling a little unwell and now it seems to be getting worse.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >No, no! She takes out the cold medicine and quickly swallows two tablets. She will not allow any accidents to ruin the romantic night she planned so carefully...</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >----------------------------------------</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Before Anna boards the ship, Cun Xi decides to get a drink at the bar by himself, both to pass the time and to cultivate the mood for the proposal. When he enters, with the exception of the bartender there is only one couple kissing passionately at a sofa in a corner. He sweeps his eyes across the room, sits on a bar stool and orders a martini.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The couple on the sofa has finished kissing and separates breathlessly.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Gucci, didn’t you board the ship with your girlfriend? Don’t you need to accompany her?" The woman’s voice is flirtatious.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"She is still tidying up the luggage!" The man’s said coolly. "Actually I can’t stand her anymore. If she didn’t beg me, I wouldn't have wanted to go on some love cruise."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"If you didn’t come, you wouldn’t have met me!"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"You’re right. I never imagined that I will meet my pre-destined girl here." As they talk, the couple starts kissing again.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >What a shameless couple! Ji Cun Xi frowns and feels sorry for that man’s girlfriend. She is blind to go out with such a bastard!</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >But this is not his business. He drinks his wine quietly. He is only concerned with whether the proposal tonight will go well. No matter what, he must make Anna agree...</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Ji Cun Xi!" A voice filled with hatred calls out. Two men sit down, one on each side of him.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He raises his eyes in displeasure and looks at the two unwelcomed guests. "Wu Lu Lu, Wu Qi Qi. The two of you again? How long do you plan to continue harassing me?" Ever since he bought a shampoo factory on Jiang Mu Island, this pair of father and son has been plaguing him like aggrieved spirits.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Ji Cun Xi, you want to fully automate our factory as soon as you buy it! Do you know that this will destroy the livelihood of the people of Jiang Mu Island? I refuse to let you treat my old staff like this!" Wu Lu Lu says. "I am asking you one more time, do you still want to retrench the workers?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Of course he has to retrench, he will definitely retrench!</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Ji Cun Xi speaks coldly "May I ask, how much did you send to buy two tickets for this cruise so that you can corner me?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Ha! Do you think that we can’t afford a luxury cruise?" Wu Qi Qi laughs proudly "I tell you, buying the corner of 10 fruit newspapers will give 80 percent discount. So we only spent 12 thousands! You never expect us to use this method right?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He has never expected for them to be so dumb. "You actually you spent 12 thousands and two days’ time just to ask me five words to which I have answered more than ten times? To calculate, on average each word cost 2400 dollars. With this kind of unprofitable method of doing things, no wonder your factory’s management is in disarray."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >When Wu Lu Lu and his son hear him, they are speechless and nearly faint in anger.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Your ‘Wu Lu Lu shampoo factory’ has been put up for auction. I bought it legally according to procedure and allow your recipe of ‘Old Jiang rebirth hair tonic’ to be carried on. Isn’t this an idea that profits everyone?" He really can’t understand why this father and son are so displeased.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"You..." Wu Lu Lu is so angry he glares at him "That mouth of yours can really debate! Even the dead come to life with your talk. You only care about our factory’s recipe. You don’t care about the island folks’ survival at all!"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >How will he be able to care for so much? Ji Cun Xi can’t be bothered about the pair of flies and darkens his face. "I warn you. Today is very important to me. If you dare to create trouble, I’ll sue until you become bankrupt! I am answering for the last time, I . will . definitely . retrench! Are you satisfied now? Now go away!"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The impressive rebuke gives Wu Lu Lu a scare and he jumps up. When Wu Qi Qi sees that the eyes of everyone in the bar is on Ji Cun Xi, he quickly takes out a packet of medicine and secretly mixes it into Ji Cun Xi’s wine.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Dad, let’s not invite trouble. Let us go!" After accomplishing their goal, he throws a look at his father.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Wu Lu Lu understands. "All right, let’s go! Ji Cun Xi, we’ll remember this. A cold-hearted businessman like you will not come to a good end!"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Father and son go out angrily and the bar resumes its peace. The couple on the sofa looks at Ji Cun Xi curiously and whispers to each other. He is in a bad mood and shakes his head. After finishing his drink, he signs the bill and leaves.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >At the door, he bumps into a lady who is entering the room shakily. He glares "Be careful!"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"What! You are the one who bump into me first all right?" Xin Yi sees him walks off unhappily and holds her whirling head. She stumbles into the bar and ask the bartender.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Excuse me, Mister. May I know where the casino is?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"The casino is on the next level." The bartender answers. "Miss, you don’t look well. Do you want a drink?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"No need. Thanks." Xin Yi turns him down as she is anxious to find her boyfriend. But when she turns her head, she finds Gucci on a sofa. She is delighted. "Gucci! Why are you here?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >When Gucci hears her voice, he jumps up in fright and quickly goes towards her, blocking his girlfriend’s view to prevent her from seeing another woman. "What are you doing here?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I couldn’t find the casino, so I came here to inquire. What about you? I thought you wanted to go to the casino?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"What should I do in the casino?" Gucci say sourly. "I don’t have much money in my pocket. If I go there I will be laughed at for making small bets!"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Oh, you don’t have money." Xin Yi looks at him and suddenly bits her lips. She takes out a credit card. "Why don’t you use this first."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Gucci’s eyes brighten but he pretends not to care. "I already told you. I will not use a woman’s money."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Take it! You should enjoy yourself when you go out." Xin Yi says. "Maybe you will win and we can have a high-class dinner tonight."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Gucci laughs and cups her face to give her a kiss on the forehead. "Why do you look so pale?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi turns red. "I think I have a cold. I just ate some medicine. I don’t know whether it is due to the medicine or not, but I am feeling dizzy now."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Like this. Why don’t you go back and have a sleep first! Dress prettily tonight for a big dinner with me." Gucci coaxes her.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"All right." Xin Yi leaves the bar obediently. She doesn’t see her boyfriend hugging and flirting with his latest woman the moment she leaves.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She groggily returns. Because the ship is too big, she even gets lost sometimes. Finally she finds the level where she stays. "303, 305, 307..."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She finds it! Just as she is about to yell in delight, a serviceman acting suspiciously quickly pull her back. "Are you the special girl arranged for tonight?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Special arrangement? Does he talks about her being in the process to give herself? She blushes. "I have a special arrangement, but..."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"It doesn’t matter, I know. Over here." The serviceman pushes her into a room. In her dizziness, she doesn’t notice that it's room 306, not room 309.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >When the serviceman leaves, Xin Yi jumps on to the bed. Thinking of the romantic candlelight dinner with her boyfriend, she sleeps sweetly.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >---------------------------------------------</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Strange, why am I feeling so dizzy?</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >After leaving the bar, Ji Cun Xi originally wanted to go to the casino and play for a while. But his head suddenly becomes heavy and his body feels hot, as hot as a stove.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He feels that something is not right and with great difficulty goes back to his room. In the room all the curtains have been closed and it is pitch dark. He looks around dizzily and sees a lady sleeping on the bed. He is delighted.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Anna, you're here." He sits on the edge of the bed and calls his girlfriend softly. She doesn’t react and continues to sleep sweetly. She turns around and a part of her leg is exposed.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >As he looks, a fire spreads though the lower part of his body. He leans towards her and starts kissing the back of her neck.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Hmm—" Xin Yi feels strange and wakes up groggily. She thinks it is her boyfriend and turn over to hug him. "I already made up my mind. From now on you are everything to me." She confesses passionately.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >When Cun Xi hears her loving talk, with her body in his arms and the medicine taking effect, he can’t control himself and kisses her passionately.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She tries to push him away shyly. "No, it’s not right yet. And I...still haven’t worn my night gown..."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"But I can’t wait anymore." He covers her lips and swallows up all her protests. His hand starts to invade her clothes and leaves a hot trace on her skin.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >A pair of strangers, under mistaken circumstances, falls into a sea of passion—</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >In the room, it is still dark. The scent of love lingers in the air.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi leans on a well-build body sweetly. Her head is heavy and she is still intoxicated with the echoes of passion. She moves slightly and a pair of strong arms immediately holds her tightly, as if they are afraid that she will slip away.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Don’t move! I won’t let you go again. I want you to remain by my side forever." A hoarse voice whispers into Xin Yi’s ears.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She breaths deeply and is touched. "I didn't know that I were so important to you..." She has been afraid that Gucci would be like her previous boyfriends and would leave her eventually.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She is overwhelmed with emotion. Her hand is suddenly raised and a sparkling diamond ring is placed on her ring finger. She can’t believe her eyes. "This is?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I have finally caught you. This ring does not only represent your importance in my heart, it also symbolizes my determination to dote on you and care for you all my life. In future I want to share everyday with you."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >This is the most romantic proposal that she could have imagined! Xin Yi can’t help crying and hugs her boyfriend tightly.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I love you, Anna." He says.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I love you too, Gucci." She answers.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The two of them are startled, and after a beat, say at the same time.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Who is Anna?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Who is Gucci?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >They look at each other in alarm. The light is dim but finally they can see that the person in front of them is not who they think it is.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Who are you?!" Xin Yi asks in panic.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Suddenly her mind recalls someone who wears the spectacles for her at the harbor. "It’s you!" It’s that proud prince.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"It’s you!" Ji Cun Xi also recognizes her. It’s that blur girl.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The two of them face each other uncertainly. Just as Ji Cun Xi gives a frown and about to talk, the room door burst open. Wu Lu Lu and his son barges into the room and starts snapping away with their cameras.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Don’t take any photos!" Ji Cun Xi shouts angrily.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Ji Cun Xi, you are at fault first. Don’t blame us for being merciless!" Wu Lu Lu says viciously "If you don’t accept our conditions, these photos will be published in the newspapers."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Are you framing me?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"So what if we are framing you?" Wu Qi Qi laughs wickedly. "Come, let us introduce to you. This lady comes from Indonesia..." He is momentarily stunned and stares foolishly at Xin Yi on the bed.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi also looks at him in amazement. "Brother-in-law? What are you doing here?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"You mean what are you doing here?" Wu Qi Qi cries. Now it’s all finished! He has arranged for an Indonesian girl to seduce Ji Cun Xi! How does she change into her wife’s sister?</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"What have you done?" Wu Lu Lu cries. "After all that fuss, Xin Yi is that Indonesian girl? This is not the way to save money. Do you want me to die under my daughter-in-law’s blade?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >What is the matter? Ji Cun Xi listens to the three of them and his face becomes dark. So he has fallen into their trap?</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"What is your relationship with them?" He asks Xin Yi sternly. "Are you in league together?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I..." Xin Yi is speechless. She does not understand what happens either. Why does she go to bed with a stranger and even let her own brother-in-law takes these naked photos?</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Did you slip into my room on purpose? In order to blackmail me you are willing to sleep with me? Don’t you have any sense of shame?" Ji Cun Xi angrily rebukes her.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"No, it’s not like this. I really don’t know how I enter the wrong room. I don’t know what has happened... I am sorry, I did not do this on purpose." Why should she apologize? She has to apologize after sleeping with someone. Is there anyone as pathetic as her?</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Xi covers her mouth and feels wronged. Trembling, she covers herself with a bed sheet and clumsily gets off the bed. Grabbing her keys, she runs out.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Where is Gucci? Where is her boyfriend? He will definitely protect her and tell her all these are only a nightmare. It’s not real, it’s not real...</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She hypnotizes herself and through her tears finds room 309. When she swipes the card and enters the room, what is awaiting her is another scene that stuns her even more.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The man she loves is rolling around on the bed with another woman. And that woman is even wearing the sexy night gown that she prepared especially for this trip—</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Gucci! What are you doing?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Xin Yi?!" When he sees her, Gucci hurriedly jumps up from the bed. "Don’t misunderstand. I am only massaging Rebecca..." He stops suddenly and peers at her. "Why are you covered only in a bed sheet? Where are your clothes?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Once his words come out, he sees Ji Cun Xi entering the room angrily with Xin Yi’s clothes.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Hey! Return your stuff to you. My ring..." He becomes silent.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The atmosphere is strange, two pairs of couple look at one another in astonishment.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >-----------------------------------------</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Her boyfriend is fooling around with another woman behind her back and now he turns around to accuse her of being unfaithful. Unable to defend herself, she has to accept her fate and, carrying her luggage, leaves the room she paid for with her card.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >What is the meaning of this? Why does she allow another woman to occupy her love nest? She paid for it with her money!</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >But she is this kind of girl. She doesn’t know how to reject people and is often toyed with. She tries her best to be nice to everybody but they often make use of her instead.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >It is said, girls like her are like "sticky notes". Everybody throws her away after they finish using her. Nobody cares about her fate and nobody cares about what happen to her.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >What should... she do now? Xin Yi stands on the deck and grips the railing, crying helplessly. She only wishes for someone to love her! Why does Gucci treats her in this manner? Why does even her brother-in-law bully her? Why can’t she be stronger and not let people push her around?</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I am an idiot, a big idiot!" She scolds herself tearfully. Her hand phone gives a short ring and she reads the message through her tears.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Valued customer, your expenditure at the Anna Bell casino is two hundred thousands, three hundred and eleven dollars. Currently you have reached your credit limit. Please pay as soon as possible when you receive your bill, thank you.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >What is this? Xin Yi is stunned. Gucci actually spend all her credit limit? She feels dizzy and her hand phone falls from her hands. She hurriedly tries to grab it but it’s too late. She can only watch helplessly as it falls into the sea.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Misfortune never travels alone. Is this her fate? Why doesn’t she just die now?</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >When this thought occurs to her, Xin Yi breaks down. She holds the railing and raises her leg—</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"What are you doing?" A man suddenly rushes over and grabs her from behind. "You have only fallen out of love, is there a need to commit suicide?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi raises her head and sees that the man who stopped her is the unfortunate prince who has just slept with her. She breaks down even more. "My hand phone is gone! Two hundred thousands are gone! My fated prince is gone... all gone! Why does this happen to me? I only wished to love someone with all my heart, what have I done wrong?" She cries bitterly.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Ji Cun Xi hugs her. His feelings are complex. He originally thought that she was in league with Wu Lu Lu and his son, but later discovered that she herself has been betrayed by her boyfriend who even drove her out in front of the vixen.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Why are you so foolish? You left because that man told you to? He is the one at fault!"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"But I... I also slept with you! Even though I did not do it on purpose, but..."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"You are really a stupid woman!" Ji Cun Xi is exasperated. "Your boyfriend was already involved with another woman at the bar. He has probably betrayed you many times and you still let him push you around."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I only... wish him to love me. I know that I am not good enough, not worthy of him..."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"What not worthy? Who says you are not worthy?" Ji Cun Xi angrily turns her tear-streaked face around. He can’t stand people who feel so inferior. "You come with me!" He pulls Xin Yi up forcefully.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Go, go where?" She stumbles behind him.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Tell that ignorant man that he is not worthy of you!"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >-----------------------------------------------</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He performs a magic spell on her.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He takes her to the beauty salon on the ship and orders the stylist to transform her from head to toe. She has a full body SPA, puts on makeup, exchanges her spectacles for contact lenses and perms her hair into a loose flowing style. She wears a light elegant evening dress and even her nails are polished into shiny beads.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >He transforms her into a princess.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi stares at the image of herself in the mirror in a daze. Is that really her? Can she be so outstanding?</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The stylist brings her to Ji Cun Xi who is browsing through a magazine. He raises his head and is startled. A look of wonder crosses his eyes.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi looks down shyly.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"You don’t look too bad." He praises her and holds out his elbow towards her.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"What?" She doesn’t understand.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Hold my arms." He commands her without reason.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Oh." She holds his arm foolishly. Blushing, she follows him to the casino. The bright crystal lamps hanging from the ceiling shine into her eyes.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"What are we doing here?" She asks Ji Cun Xi quietly.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"You want to get back at that lousy man right?" He smiles coldly.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She wants to. "But..."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Shut up and follow me." He gives her a warning glance and does not allow her to retreat.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The two of them finds Gucci winning big at a table and sit down opposite of him. When Gucci sees the elegantly dressed Xin Yi, his eyes nearly falls out. Rebecca who is leaning on him is mad with jealousy.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi awkwardly wants to run away but Ji Cun Xi holds her hand tightly under the table. He coolly nods at the dealer and exchanges five million chips in one breath.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Everybody is shocked and even Xin Yi dumbstruck at this huge amount. But Ji Cun Xi seems to treat it as commonplace and waves his hand, signaling the dealer to deal the cards.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >In the first round, he loses one hundred thousand to Gucci. In the second round, he loses another one hundred thousand. In the third round, he even loses five hundred thousand at one go. The fourth round he continues to lose miserably.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"He is not only a rich man but also a sucker!" Rebecca laughs coquettishly and put her hand around Gucci’s neck to show off. "You are formidable, darling."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Hey." Xin Yi can’t care about her ex-boyfriend flirting with another woman anymore. She is only worried about Ji Cun Xi, afraid that he will really lose all he has at the gambling table. She pulls his sleeve secretly. "Hey, stop playing."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Ji Cun Xi looks calm. He glances at the bottom card that has just been dealt and says "One million."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Huh?" Gucci is stunned and even Rebecca is speechless.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi is even more nervous. "Hey, you must really stop playing!"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Ji Cun Xi ignores her and looks at Gucci in challenge. "One million, will you follow?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Gucci feels a wave of anger. "All right, I follow."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The dealer deals the next card. Ji Cun Xi's cards are three As and the bottom card is K. Gucci’s cards are diamonds A, Q, J and the bottom card is 10.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"It’s my turn to call again." Ji Cun Xi smiles coolly. "One million."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Another one million? Gucci breathes hard and starts sweating.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"What are you afraid of?" Rebecca glares at him. "He only has three As at most. We may have a royal flush on our side. Follow!" She pushes out the chips for Gucci.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Ji Cun Xi frowns. "Then I bet that you won’t be a royal flush. Show hand!" He pushes out all his chips.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Everybody is stunned again. Is this man crazy?</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The dealer deals the last card. Gucci turns it over. It’s a hearts K. He lets out a breath of relief. "Oh, that’s a pity. It’s only a straight but it’s enough to win your threes."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Ji Cun Xi is in no hurry to turn over his card. He looks at Xin Yi "You turn over the card."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Me?" Xin Yi is surprised.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Believe me, you will be my lucky girl." Ji Cun Xi eyes are certain.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi is at a loss for words. His eyes are so absolute. Not knowing why, she feels that she can trust him. She slowly turns over the card. It’s a club K.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Full House!" Everyone shouted. "He wins, he wins!"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Gucci starts to faint, he has lost more than two millions! "Just now that round doesn’t count. We play again!" He doesn’t know what to do and tries to wrangle out of the situation.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Ji Cun Xi looks down on him. "What did you say?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I said you betrayed me and slept with my woman. You make a cuckold out of me. Shouldn’t you compensate me a little?" Gucci is so unnerved he starts blathering.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >What did he say? Xin Yi’s heart starts beating. Ji Cun Xi’s look hardens. "All right, since you want to take back the chips you lost, I’ll give you another chance."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Really?" Gucci’s eyes brightened.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Kneel down in front of her." Ji Cun Xi points to Xin Yi. "Say sorry."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"You want me... to kneel down in public?" Gucci’s face turns pale.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Well? You can’t do it?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Gucci hesitates for a moment and finally clench his teeth. Even if there is gold under a man’s kneel caps, it’s not as much as two millions dollars.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I am sorry, Xin Yi." He really kneels down in front of her. "Please forgive me."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi looks at him. She has mixed feelings and can’t talk.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >------------------------------------------</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Why did you help me like that?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >On the deck, the sea wind is blowing slightly and the moon light shines on the waves far away. Xin Yi raises her hand to push back the hair that has been messed up by the wind and quietly ask the man besides her.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Ji Cun Xi does not answer and look far away. After a pause, he curves his lips and smiles stoically. "I only want to pass the time."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Pass the time?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"I had wanted to propose to my girlfriend tonight, but she ditched me at the last minute and flied to New York." He said quietly. "She is a ballet dancer and the dance group over there has invited her to join them. They even promised that she will be able to perform the leading role of ‘Swan Lake’ at the Lincoln Center."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Leading role of Swan Lake? Xin Yi closes her eyes and imagines a ballet dancer dressed in white dancing lightly on the stage. "She must be very outstanding." She praises him quietly.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Of course she is outstanding." Ji Cun Xi says ironically. Otherwise he would not have fallen in love with her and even planned to propose to her.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi looks at him. Not knowing why, she feels that his handsome face looks lonely. She feels a stir of emotions. "She will definitely be back soon! With you waiting for her here, she won’t bear to leave for long."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >When Ji Cun Xi hears her, he turns around to look at her. "Are you feeling sorry for me?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"No! How can I?" Xin Yi hurriedly waves her hands to clarify. "I myself... am the one in a mess, all right? I have been dumped by a jerk, incurred a huge debt and even uncomprehendingly slept... umm, with a stranger." As she says this, her voice becomes softer and a blush spreads across her face.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Ji Cun Xi glances at her embarrassed look and suddenly smiles. He takes the initiative to hold out his hand. "I am Ji Cun Xi."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"Ah!" Xin Yi hurriedly holds out her hand too. "I am called Chen Xin Yi."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The two of them shakes hand and suddenly feel a strange feeling going through their bodies. Xin Yi’s heart starts beating furiously.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"This is for you." Ji Cun Xi takes back his hand and gives her a chip.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She takes the clip puzzled. "Why give this to me?"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"This is a souvenir that can change a person’s life. Life is like a gamble. You can’t win every round but as long as the chip is in your hands, you will always have hope. Tonight you have won back your pride. You must always remember this. Your fate lies in your own hand, so don’t look down on yourself again."</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Xin Yi looks at the chip. Her throat starts choking and her eyes sting. No one has ever said these words to her before. Everybody always think that she is not good enough and feels that she is not outstanding. Only he...</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >She holds the chip tightly and gives him a sweet smile through her tears. "Thank you! I will remember." </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div>from Asian Fanaticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15524575511115500460noreply@blogger.com1